Prime Minister

Prime Minister: Northern Ireland

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Prime Minister, how many times she has visited Northern Ireland since she became Prime Minister; and when she next plans to visit Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa May: I visit all parts of the United Kingdom regularly. Details of my visits within the United Kingdom are published on the gov.uk website.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment Schemes: Sheffield City Region

Jared O'Mara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for how long he expects the Sheffield City Region's Early Integrated Employment Support pilot to be paused.

Jared O'Mara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on the level of unemployment in the Sheffield City Region of the Government's decision to pause the Early Integrated Employment Support pilot.

Damian Hinds: Following developments within the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, in particular some constituent members signalling that they no longer support the deal, the Government believes that the most sensible approach is to pause our work on the innovation pilot. This, we hope, will give further time for local issues to be considered and resolved, giving greater clarity on the future of the partnership and the extent of continuing local support for the pilot from all constituent members of the Combined Authority. Despite taking the decision to pause this work, the Government remains fully committed to the Sheffield City Region devolution deal. Our main ambition is to work collaboratively to realise all elements of the devolution deal and to deliver the innovation pilot as soon as possible, once all partners have been able to recommit to the agreement. We will keep this situation under close review with the hope that work on the innovation pilot can continue at the earliest viable opportunity.

Employment and Support Allowance

Neil Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have both (a) started their claim to and (b) been placed into the Employment Support Allowance work-related activity group since 3 April 2017 inclusive.

Sarah Newton: The latest information available on initial Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claims to March 2017 and the outcomes following an ESA Work Capability Assessment is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employment-and-support-allowance-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessment The information for ESA initial claims and outcomes for April 17 onwards is not yet available but will be published in due course.

Department for Work and Pensions: Personal Records

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what ways his Department treats clerical cases differently to other cases.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department does not treat clerical cases differently to other cases. The outcomes for the customer will be the same although, while cases are being managed on a clerical basis, there will be small differences in the way the cases are managed due to differences in the level of technology support available at a point in time.

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to assist UK pensioners living abroad who’s state ensions is are uprated annually.

Guy Opperman: UK State Pensions are payable worldwide to those who are eligible, without regard to nationality. They are up-rated where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example in EEA countries and countries where there is a reciprocal agreement in place that allows for up-rating. This has been the policy of successive Governments for around 70 years and the Government has no plans to change this policy.

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which current EU Member States had historical bilateral agreements with the UK that guaranteed annual uprating of UK state pensions?

Guy Opperman: The United Kingdom’s reciprocal social security agreements with EU Member States as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are generally superseded by EU law. The reciprocal agreements with Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland all made provision regarding annual increases in the state pension.

Employment: Pregnancy

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the rate of statutory maternity pay; if he will take steps to increase the level of protection for pregnant women against detriment or dismissal by their employers; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: The standard rate of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is reviewed annually. Since 2011, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has provided the basis of any uprating and, for the 2018/19 tax year, the standard rate of SMP will increase by just under 3% The first six weeks of an award of SMP are also related directly to the earnings of the claimant, with no upper limit, rather than being set at a prescribed rate. In respect of protection provided for pregnant women, the law is absolutely clear: discrimination in the workplace is unlawful, with clear regulations in place which every employer must follow. We are working to raise employees’ and employers’ awareness of what the law already requires, and considering options for legislation if this does not drive change. We are also funding the Equality Advisory and Support Service, an entirely free advice helpline open to anyone in England, Scotland and Wales, who feels that they may have been the victim of unlawful discrimination, including because of pregnancy and maternity.

Universal Credit: Students

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the introduction of universal credit on (a) full-time and (b) part-time university students who have a child or children as a (i) lone parent and (ii) couple.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the effect of (a) the introduction of universal credit and (b) previous benefit systems on (a) full-time and (b) part-time disabled university students.

Damian Hinds: Most full time students in higher education do not qualify for benefits or tax credits. Universal Credit is no different, as students, including disabled students and those with health conditions, access fees and living costs to support their higher education courses through various loans and grants funded by the Department for Education. However, if a person is in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits because of disability or ill health, they are not discouraged from taking up higher education that may help them in the future. If they take up a course and receive a student loan, tuition fees and cost of books are disregarded but maintenance costs are taken into account as student income.

Personal Independence Payment: Complaints

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2017 to Question 116935, what steps his Department has taken to monitor the (a) accuracy and (b) integrity of Capita's complaints system.

Sarah Newton: The Department requires Assessment Providers, including Capita, to have effective and accessible complaints procedures to deal with dissatisfaction about the service they provide. The Department regularly analyses the number, types and trends of complaints should they be escalated to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE). If a claimant has been through the Assessment Providers entire complaints procedure and remains displeased, they can ask ICE to look at their complaint. The individual must contact them within six months of the date of the final reply. Contact details are provided on the Providers final complaint response.

Personal Independence Payment: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with myalgic encephalomyelitis were assessed for personal independence payments in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those people were found to be eligible for those payments?

Sarah Newton: The Department does not record disabling conditions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants at registration stage. Primary disabling conditions are recorded on the PIP Computer System only for those claimants who undergo a face to face or paper based assessment. Although Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is not recorded separately, we can provide award and disallowance statistics after assessment for claimants whose primary disability, as recorded on our systems, is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The table below shows the annual volume of awards and disallowances where the claimant’s primary disabling condition was recorded as CFS and a face to face or paper based assessment took place.  AwardedDisallowedPercentage Awarded20131308062%20142,2001,23064%20153,4502,47058%20163,8602,44061%2017*2,9201,94060%Total12,5608,16061%Source: PIP Computer System*2017 figures are to 31st October.

Employment: Disability

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with assistive technology companies on support provided by that sector to reduce the employment gap for disabled people.

Caroline Dinenage: All DWP digital services are designed and built in line with Government Digital Service guidelines, and two international standards for IT accessibility (EN 301 549 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.00). Our goal is to ensure that digital services can be used by as many people as possible without the use of separate assistive technology.To ensure that they meet these standards services are tested during development and before implementation. This includes technical tests and user testing. We also encourage and act on feedback from service users following implementation.

Food Banks

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons his Department has no plans to collect or publish statistics on food bank usage since the roll-out of universal credit.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October to Question 109156, if he will make it his policy to collect statistics on food bank usage since the start of the roll-out of universal credit.

Damian Hinds: The provision of food aid ranges from small local provision, through to regional and national schemes. This is mostly community-led provision responding to local needs and as such, we do not believe it is possible to keep a record of the number of food banks, nor the potential number of people using them, without placing unnecessary burdens on volunteers trying to help their communities.

Universal Credit

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the roll-out of universal credit on levels of personal debt.

Damian Hinds: The Government has taken a number of steps to reduce the risk of problem debt, including capping payday lending costs and promoting savings. Within Universal Credit, we also have interest free advances and a system of priority deductions to help claimants who have got into arrears.

Children: Maintenance

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who end up in rent arrears due to the underpayment of child support.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has of how many people eligible for Child Support payments end up being in rent arrears when the payer is self-employed.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government believes parents are best able to make decisions over how they manage their finances to support their children so we do not collect data on how child maintenance is spent including whether it is used for rent. We also do not collect data on families in rental arrears. We expect parents no matter their employment type to support their children and will take robust action where non-payment of maintenance is reported to re-establish payment as soon as possible.

Personal Independence Payment: Epilepsy

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department produces guidance to health practitioners on deciding on claims for personal independence payments made by people who have epilepsy.

Sarah Newton: Health professionals carrying out assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provide comprehensive and professional advice to help the Department’s decision makers to fairly and accurately determine benefit entitlement. The PIP assessment is designed to treat people as individuals, considering the impact of their disability or health condition on their everyday life and how each claimant has personally adapted to living with a disability, rather than the disability itself. Therefore the PIP Assessment Guide for Health Professionals does not contain specific condition based guidance.The PIP Assessment Guide can be found here: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment guide for assessment providers - GOV.UK

Employment: Disability

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help young disabled people into work in (a) Northamptonshire (b) England.

Sarah Newton: This Government is committed to enabling young disabled people to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations through a number of programmes and initiatives. For example: a. In Northamptonshire the employment support available for young disabled people includes:Jobcentre Plus support for schools targets young people that schools identify as at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training), or who may otherwise be disadvantaged in the labour market, such as those with a health or disability issue.Supported Internships, which all qualified post-16 education providers in England have delivered since September 2013, are personalised study programmes, based primarily at a prospective employer, for those with complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities.Access to Work, which offers support to disabled people aged 16+ who are in or about to enter paid employment, or engaged in pre-work activities including work experience, apprenticeships, supported internships and traineeships.The Work and Health Programme, which will provide innovative support through local organisations for around 200,000 disabled people over the course of the programme.Specialist Employability Support (SES), which offers support to those with greatest needs and most complex situations, We are currently exploring the best policy options for continuing such support after the SES contracts come to an end in October 2018Community Partners, who are working in partnership with work coaches to build disability understanding within Jobcentres and provide insight into the effect disability can have on employment. b. In addition, in other parts of England the support outlined above is available plus some relevant test and learn initiatives which if successful may be extended further:Two proofs of concept offer voluntary supported work experience, with the aim of improving confidence, motivation and understanding of the labour market:o Tri-Work, an initiative for disabled young people in years 10/11 in schools and special schools, which targets those most in need of support.o Young Persons Supported Work experience (YPSWE), for which 18-24 year olds in the Employment Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group) in five JCP districts are eligible.The Local Supported Employment (LSE) proof of concept ‘place and train’ model, which aims to move disabled people, notably those with learning disability and autism, into real jobs at the going rate of pay, with support for both individual and employer.

Personal Independence Payment: Epilepsy

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with epilepsy who were previously in receipt of disability living allowance and have undergone a review to assess their eligibility for personal independence payments applied for mandatory reconsideration of the decision from (a) April 2013 to October 2017 and (b) October 2016 to October 2017.

Sarah Newton: The number of people with epilepsy who were previously in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and have undergone a review to assess their eligibility for Personal Independence Payment applied for mandatory reconsideration of the decision from(a) April 2013 to October 2017 (55 months) was 11,550. (b) October 2016 to October 2017 (12 months) was 6040. Data is taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information.

Personal Independence Payment: Epilepsy

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with epilepsy who were previously in receipt of disability living allowance and have undergone a review to assess their eligibility for personal independence payments appealed the decision at tribunal from (a) April 2013 to October 2017 (b) October 2016 to October 2017.

Sarah Newton: The number of people with epilepsy who were previously in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and have undergone a review to assess their eligibility for Personal Independence Payment appealed the decision at tribunal from (a) April 2013 to October 2017 (55 months) is 4770. (b) October 2016 to October 2017 (12 months) is 2500. Data taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information.

Department for Work and Pensions: EU Nationals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-UK EU nationals started employment in his Department since 23 June 2016.

Caroline Dinenage: We do not know how many non-UK EU nationals started employment in the Department for Work and Pensions, since 23 June 2016. Evidence of nationality is checked at the point of recruitment into the Civil Service, as part of wider pre-employment checks. But, there is no requirement on departments to retain this information, beyond the point at which it has served its purpose.

Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Government has made available in real terms through (a) budgeting loans and (b) crisis loans in each year between 2010/11 and 2016/17.

Caroline Dinenage: The amount made available through Budgeting Loans is published in the annual Social Fund Accounts in nominal terms. These figures have been adjusted to real terms in 2016/17 prices and are outlined in the table below. YearBudgeting Loan payments - £m (2016/17 prices)2010/11495.12011/12491.42012/13485.22013/14434.22014/15428.22015/16414.12016/17411.5 Notes: Figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1m.Figures are adjusted to real terms using GDP deflators. The amount made available through Crisis Loans is published in the annual Social Fund Accounts in nominal terms. These figures have been adjusted to real terms in 2016/17 prices and are outlined in the table below. YearCrisis Loan payments - £m (2016/17 prices)2010/11155.32011/12153.82012/13114.12013/143.62014/150.22015/160.12016/170.2  Notes: Figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1m.Figures are adjusted to real terms using GDP deflators.Crisis Loans were abolished with effect from 31/3/13. There have been no new Crisis Loan payments since then. The provision of interest free credit through Crisis Loans since their abolition represents a net transfer of customer debt from Northern Ireland where customers have moved between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. DWP manage the recovery of the transferred debt. Sources: Social Fund Accounts, 2010/11 – 2016/17GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP November 2017 (Autumn Budget 2017) The links to the annual Social Fund Account for each of the last seven years are given below.  2010/11: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/247280/1307.pdf  2011/12: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246945/0454.pdf 2012/13: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209380/SFWPA_2012-13.pdf 2013/14: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/450047/social-fund-account-2013-to-2014.pdf  2014/15: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/450036/social-fund-account-2014-to-2015.pdf  2015/16: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/535981/social-fund-account-2015-16.pdf  2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/626607/social-fund-account-2016-2017.pdf

Housing Benefit: Refuges

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the total (a) weekly and (b) annual housing benefit spend for claimants living within refuge accommodation.

Caroline Dinenage: The information requested is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Glasgow North East

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) work and capability and (b) personal independence payment assessment decisions have been appealed successfully in (i) absolute terms and (ii) as a percentage in Glasgow North East constituency in each of the last three years.

Sarah Newton: (a) The information for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) work capability assessments (WCA) is not readily available and can only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. (b) The following table shows the number of Personal Independence Payment decisions that have been overturned on appealed in the Glasgow North East constituency in each of the last three years: #ClaimsDecisions overturned at appeal% of decisions overturned at appeal2014/20151700503%2015/201623501707%2016/201730801806% Data is taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information.

Personal Independence Payment: Motability

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have successfully appealed the removal of their place on the Motability Scheme under the Personal Independence Payment.

Sarah Newton: Disability benefit claimants are able to apply for a vehicle under the Motability Scheme if they are in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility in DLA or Enhanced Rate Mobility in PIP. If the claimant loses their entitlement to these components, they will no longer be eligible for a vehicle under the Motability Scheme. If a claimant is not satisfied with the original decision, they are able to request a Mandatory Reconsideration and if, following the Mandatory Reconsideration they are still not satisfied, they can appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal. The number of Motability Scheme customers who successfully appeal following a decision which removes Enhanced Rate Mobility (PIP) or Higher Rate Mobility (DLA) is not held by the Department. The Department worked closely with Motability to introduce a £175 million Transitional Support package for people leaving the scheme following PIP reassessment paid for by Motability and at no cost to the taxpayer. This gives significant help: Claimants can keep their car for up to 3 months after an initial decision.They are given the option to buy their Scheme vehicle.Choice of up to £2,000 lump sum payment OR 6 ½ month lease extension with a smaller support payment.Motability can help to pay to adapt new, non-scheme cars and gives and additional help and advice (on insurance and adaptations).This package has already helped 84% claimants to buy a used car.

Employment: Disability

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has in place a formal complaint procedure for members of the public who wish to raise a complaint that a Disability Confident employer is not conforming fully to the guidance published by his Department.

Sarah Newton: Disability Confident is voluntary for employers. The scheme makes clear what is expected from employers for them to achieve each of the three levels (Committed, Employer and Leader). If an individual feels that an employer is not meeting the published actions and activities for a particular level they are encouraged to take the matter up directly with the employer concerned. If that does not resolve the matter, the individual can raise it with the Disability Confident policy team - DWP.DISABILITYCONFIDENT@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Christine Jardine: If he will review the implementation of the new state pension ages for women born in the 1950s; and if he will compensate those affected by that change.

Guy Opperman: During the passage of the Pensions Act 2011, the Government made a concession worth more than £1bn that benefited more than a quarter of a million women, and limited the increase in any individual’s pension age to 18 months (when compared with the previous timetables)

Universal Credit

Luke Graham: What steps he is taking to ensure that universal credit supports people to progress at work and increase their earnings.

Damian Hinds: Universal credit provides us with the opportunity to support people to progress and we are developing the evidence base about what works.Building on our existing suite of trials, which includes a large scale Randomised Control Trial, we have committed an additional £8m to testing different approaches to supporting people to progress.

Universal Credit

Hugh Gaffney: What assessment his Department has made of recent trends in the average level of household debt for people in receipt of universal credit.

Damian Hinds: The Government has taken a number of steps to reduce the risk of problem debt, including capping payday lending costs and promoting savings.Within UC, there are also interest free Advances and a system of priority deductions to help claimants who have got into arrears.

Poverty

Patrick Grady: What progress his Department is making on reducing poverty.

Damian Hinds: Since 2010, there are 600,000 fewer people in absolute poverty – a record low.This Government is committed to action that delivers a lasting change to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people in society. This requires an approach that goes beyond the safety net of the welfare system to tackle the root causes of poverty and disadvantage.The evidence is clear that work is the best route out of poverty. Children in workless households are 5 times more likely to be in poverty than those in households where all adults work. And children in workless families are also more disadvantaged, and achieve poorer educational and employment outcomes than other children.That is why we will continue with polices that support and encourage employment - reforming the welfare system to make work pay. And these policies are working: since 2010, there are 3 million more people in work, with 954,000 fewer workless households, and 608,000 fewer children in workless households.

Universal Credit: Appeals

Justin Madders: What recent assessment he has made of trends in the number of universal credit appeals.

Damian Hinds: Appeals against Universal Credit decisions are at a lower level than for the other main benefits and the rate has been broadly stable since the introduction of Universal Credit.

Universal Credit

Gordon Henderson: Whether universal credit claimants will lose money if they receive a disability premium in addition to income-based benefits.

Sarah Newton: We simplified and rationised the various, complex disability premiums that exist in the legacy system and anyone in the Support Group who only qualifies for the Enhanced Disability Premium, will be better off in Universal Credit by over £90 per month.

Home Office

Emergency Services Network

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what comparative assessment she has made of the difference in cost of rolling out the Emergency Services Network in rural and urban areas.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether additional funding will be provided for rolling out the Emergency Services Network to cover the extra cost of providing a resilient emergency service in a rural area.

Mr Nick Hurd: The costs of upgrading to the Emergency Services Network are available in the public domain at:https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Upgrading-emergency-service communications-the-Emergency-services-Network.pdfand https://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/b15926/Minutes%20-%20Appendix%201%20 %20Transcript%20of%20Item%205%20Tuesday%2018-Jul-2017%2010.00%20GLA%20Oversight%20Committee.pdf?T=9”

Cryptocurrencies

Eddie Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what size of holdings of Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies have been seized by police and national crime agencies in the last 12 months.

Mr Ben  Wallace: This information is not held centrally.

Fracking: Lancashire

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will ensure funding from the public purse is provided for the full cost of the policing of the fracking site in Lancashire.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Lancashire PCC has submitted an application for Special Grant funding for the costs of policing the anti-fracking protests in Lancashire. This is currently being reviewed by HMICFRS and a decision will be made in due course.

Home Office: Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of her Department's Answers to Written Parliamentary Questions have advised that the requested information was not available on the grounds of disproportionate cost associated with data collection and collation in the current session.

Victoria Atkins: The Home Office have answered 89 written parliamentary questions explaining that the requested information was not available on the grounds of disproportionate cost in the current session. This is out of a total and 2473 parliamentary questions that have been answered.

Hunting

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance she has issued to Chief Constables and Police Commissioners on the frequency with which police officers should attend meetings of the local hunt?

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to ensure full cost recovery from local hunts for the attendance of police officers at hunts and what discussions she has held with (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers, (b) Chief Constables and (c) Police and Crime Commissioners.

Mr Nick Hurd: The enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004 is an operational matter for the police. It is for individual Chief Constables to determine how their resources are deployed and it is for locally elected PCCs to hold their forces to account, including on how they tackle the crimes that matter most to residents and businesses in rural and urban areas alike.If the police face unexpected or exceptional events, there is an established process by which Police and Crime Commissioners can apply for Special Grant funding to help with these costs.

Forced Marriage: Coventry

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of children under the age of 18 living in Coventry who have been subjected to a forced marriage in each of the last five years.

Victoria Atkins: The joint Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Home Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) operates a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims of forced marriage as well as to professionals dealing with cases. Statistics on the number of cases dealt with by the FMU are published annually, including a breakdown by region and age, and are available online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage#statistics-on-forced-marriage-collected-by-fmu .Statistics are available for the region of the West Midlands. Over the last five years (2012-2016) the FMU has handled 933 cases where the victim was in or from the West Midlands.The statistics cannot be broken down into specific towns and cities and by age for data protection reasons. The FMU must safeguard those it supports. For example, citing the number of cases from a specific town may be low enough to allow a victim to be identified.

Visas: Sponsorship

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 118019, on Visas: Sponsorship, if she will place the full text of her Department's last formal review of the suitability of the current visa sponsorship process for small companies in the Library.

Brandon Lewis: Rather than necessarily undertaking formal reviews, the Home Office regularly reviews policy and process based on feedback from all types of sponsor, regardless of size.

Ports: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2017 to Question 117435, what discussions her Department has had with Port Operators in Wales on the (a) availability and (b) cost of land required to provide facilities for additional customs checks if the UK left the EU without a deal.

Brandon Lewis: Government Departments are holding discussions with ports and others directly impacted by EU exit to enable the sharing of emerging proposals, and to ensure planning takes account of practical implications for the industry.The nature of customs arrangements between the UK and the EU following the UK’s departure from the EU will depend on the outcome of Exit negotiations. Government departments are working together across a range of complex issues to develop our future approach at the border including the unlikely scenario of no deal.

Armed Conflict: Iraq and Syria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who have taken part in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have been charged with terrorist or other criminal offences relating to their activities in Syria or Iraq after their return to the UK; and how many of those prosecutions have been successful.

Mr Ben  Wallace: The Home Office Statistical Bulletin publishes data about convictions quarterly but does not distinguish those which relate to Syria and Iraq and Daesh. British Citizens who are investigated and charged with offences relating to the conflict in Syria and Iraq will be prosecuted in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.Although official figures do not show how many were Syria or Iraq or Daesh related, of the 97 persons charged with a terrorism-related offence in the year ending September 2017, 30 had been prosecuted (as at the time of data provision to the Home Office, 06 November 2017), 30 of which were found guilty. A further 65 were awaiting prosecution.

Missing Persons

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many missing persons reports were made to each police force in each year since 2010.

Mr Nick Hurd: Missing person report statistics are published by the National Crime Agency’s Missing Person’s Bureau (http://missingpersons.police.uk/en/resources/downloads).

Fireworks: Antisocial Behaviour

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to tackle the anti-social use of fireworks.

Victoria Atkins: The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police and local authorities with a range of powers to tackle anti-social and nuisance behaviour. Provided that the relevant legal tests are met, these powers can be used to tackle those who cause alarm or distress to others through their misuse of fireworks.These powers are in addition to regulations in place covering the supply, storage, possession and use of fireworks which includes restrictions on when fireworks can be sold, curfews which limit the hours during which fireworks can be used, local authority powers to deal with excessive firework noise and a prohibition on setting off or throwing fireworks in the street or other public places.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Office: Brexit

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much time his Department spent in compiling impact assessments and other material for the sectoral analyses it provided to the Department for Exiting the European Union; how many FTE staff hours were dedicated to that compilation; and on what date his Department started and concluded its work on that compilation.

James Brokenshire: With regards to how many FTE staff hours were dedicated to the compilation, the Northern Ireland office does not hold this information in the form requested. The Department for Exiting the European Union has satisfied the motion passed in the House of Commons by bringing together information for these reports. The Committee on Exiting the EU voted on Wednesday 6 December that the Government’s response to the resolution of the House of 1 November has complied with the terms of that resolution.

Northern Ireland Office: Bell Pottinger Group

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations Ministers of his Department have received from Bell Pottinger on behalf of (a) Atos IT Services UK Limited, (b) the British Horseracing Authority, (c) Centrica PLC, (d) DS Smith plc, (e) Ernst & Young, (f) Heads of the Valleys Development Company Limited, (g) Monarch Holdings Limited and (h) Waitrose Limited.

James Brokenshire: The Department holds no record of any such representations.

Northern Ireland Office: Labour Turnover

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many members of staff have left his Department since 1 January 2015; and how many of those members of staff were nationals of non-UK EU countries.

James Brokenshire: Since 1 January 2015 to date, 100 members of staff have left my department. Of these, 68 were due to loans or secondments ending and staff returning to their home department. 17 staff left through a voluntary exit scheme and 15 members of staff resigned or retired. We do not hold information in relation to how many of those staff were nationals of non-UK EU countries.

Marriage: Northern Ireland

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2017 to Question 7486 on marriage: Northern Ireland, what effect the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive has had on the Northern Ireland Department of Finance's authority to contest the case Smyth 2017 No. 038954; and if he will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Marriage is an entirely devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and the subject matters of this question are matters for the Northern Ireland Department of Finance.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to provide the Police Service of Northern Ireland with additional funding to tackle terrorism in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: This Government has provided the Police Service of Northern Ireland with the additional resources they asked for and need to tackle the Northern Ireland related terrorism threat. This includes £160m in Additional Security Funding to PSNI over the current spending review period. On top of this, cross-government spending on counter-terrorism right across the UK will increase by 30 per cent in real terms over this Parliament.

Voting Rights: Females

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to mark the centenary of the Suffrage Movement in 2018 in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Northern Ireland Office works closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on First World War Centenary Commemorations to ensure the Government’s programme of commemorations has reach and engagement in Northern Ireland. This includes supporting the introduction of the UK Government’s programme to mark the centenary of the Suffrage Movement. 14-18 NOW, the UK's art programme for the First World War centenary, is planning activity in Northern Ireland to mark this important centenary which we will fully support. I understand the devolved administration is also co-ordinating a programme of events in Northern Ireland to mark the centenary.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Pay

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress is being made by the independent review on the salaries and staff allowances of members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, announced on the 13 November 2017; and if he will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: I received Mr Trevor Reaney’s advice on pay and allowances for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 15 December and intend to publish it shortly.

Northern Ireland Government

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reasons the Northern Ireland Office has not yet published for public consultation its proposals to deal with legacy issues in Northern Ireland; when he plans to publish those proposals; and if he will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Government believes that the Stormont House Agreement proposals represent the best means of addressing Northern Ireland’s past in ways that will be fair, balanced and proportionate. The next phase is to consult publicly on how to address the legacy of the past and move Northern Ireland forward, including details of how the new institutions could work in practice. A public consultation would provide everyone with an interest the opportunity to see the proposals and contribute to the discussion on the issues. The Government wants to consult soon but wants this to happen at a time that will best build support and confidence in the new legacy institutions from across the community. I am reflecting carefully on the next steps for taking forward a consultation.

Magilligan Prison

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps during the absence of a devolved administration to discuss with the Department of Justice the rebuilding of the Prison at Magilligan in County Londonderry.

James Brokenshire: As I stated in my previous response on 27 November 2017, responsibility for prisons in Northern Ireland is primarily a devolved area. Under the devolution of policing and justice in 2010, the Department of Justice (DoJ) is solely responsible for management of the prison estate.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Mobile Broadband

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether Ofcom’s assessment of whether mobile providers have achieved their 90 per cent target for land mass coverage by the end of 2017 will be published; and if she will make a statement.

Matt Hancock: Ofcom plans to publish its assessment of whether Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have met their licence obligations once it has assessed MNO compliance in early 2018.

Arts: National Income

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the GVA of each of the 9 sub-sectors of the creative industries was in each year since 2010.

Matt Hancock: The Gross Value Added (GVA) for each of the sub-sectors in the Creative Industries from 2010 to 2016 are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/662966/GVA_subsector_tables.xlsx, and are available in the table below. Gross value added (GVA) expressed in current prices, for Creative Industries sub-sectorsUnit: £mYears: 2010 - 2016Coverage: UK Sub-sector2010201120122013201420152016 (p)Advertising and marketing6,2166,7537,7999,25610,75811,75812,312Architecture2,2972,8573,0403,0073,5274,0254,203Crafts292308284216396368421Design and designer fashion1,9682,2932,5342,7052,6343,1853,537Film, TV, video, radio and photography12,79313,26113,68513,76314,60614,40615,361IT, software and computer services22,71424,83925,59627,32729,39531,15434,704Publishing10,3649,97910,31810,37910,44210,79111,622Museums, galleries and libraries1,3231,2251,2381,2561,2271,3421,430Music, performing and visual arts5,4575,7336,2286,9596,9698,2808,237Creative Industries63,42567,24870,72374,86879,95385,30891,828Notes1. Data are in current prices (i.e. have not been adjusted for inflation).2. 2016 GVA is based on the output measure of GVA and are provisional until balancing of the Supply Use tables in 2018.3. (p) = provisional

Arts: Staff

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many people were employed in each of the nine sub-sectors of the creative industries in each year since 2010.

Matt Hancock: The number of people employed in each of the sub-sectors in the Creative Industries from 2011 to 2016 are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632833/DCMS_Sectors_Economic_Estimates_Employment_Creative_Industries_Subsectors.xlsx, and are available in the table below. Data are not published by DCMS for 2010. Employment in Creative Industries sub-sectorsUnit: ThousandsYears: 2011 - 2016Coverage: UK Sub-sector201120122013201420152016Advertising and marketing148144155167182198Architecture9489941019098Crafts978877Design and designer fashion102117124136132160Film, TV, video, radio and photography211240232228231246IT, software and computer services483558574607640674Publishing211223198193200193Museums, galleries and libraries918685849792Music, performing and visual arts213227244284286291Creative Industries1,5621,6911,7131,8081,8661,9581. Estimates rounded to the nearest 1,000..

Arts: Staff

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many people were employed who were of the nationality of each non-UK member state in each of the nine sub-sectors of the creative industries in each year since 2010.

Matt Hancock: DCMS have not published data for the number of people employed in the Creative Industries by each of the non-UK member states individually. However, the total number of people employed from the EU, excluding the UK, are available for 2012 to 2016 by Creative Industries sub-sectors, and are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632833/DCMS_Sectors_Economic_Estimates_Employment_Creative_Industries_Subsectors.xlsx, and in the table below. Employment in Creative Industries sub-sectors​ from​ ​EU countries​ (excluding UK)Unit: ThousandsYears: 2012-2016Coverage: UK Sub-sector20122013201420152016Advertising and marketing1277811Architecture--979Crafts-----Design and designer fashion71012911Film, TV, video, radio and photography1310111516IT, software and computer services2730343752Publishing1413181919Museums, galleries and libraries-----Music, performing and visual arts97111412Creative Industries8986105115131Notes1. Estimates rounded to the nearest 1,000.2. - denotes data have been supressed to avoid disclosure.

Arts: Devolution

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the gross value-added was for the nine sub-sectors of the creative industries for each year since 2010 in each of the devolved administrations.

Matt Hancock: ​The Gross Value Added (GVA) for each of the sub-sectors in the Creative Industries for the devolved administrations is available from 2010 to 2015 at https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/adhocs/006815constrainedregionalgrossvalueaddedgvaestimatesfordepartmentforculturemediaandsportdcmscreativeindustriessubsectors, and in the tables below. Data for 2016 are due to be published in February 2018. Gross value added (GVA) expressed in current prices, for Creative Industries sub-sectors in WalesUnit: £mYears: 2010 - 2015Coverage: UK​Sub-sector201020112012201320142015Advertising and marketing30.172.248.546.339.532.4Architecture39.059.147.453.271.254.9Crafts2.55.53.92.63.14.6Design and designer fashion103.796.691.8127.999.397.3Film, TV, video, radio and photography-30.246.446.788.735.4108.9IT, software and computer services316.7345.5391.8257.0362.9351.4Publishing103.059.869.079.2100.735.7Museums, galleries and libraries14.914.615.517.324.525.0Music, performing and visual arts128.8114.5159.291.099.3115.4Creative Industries708.4814.2873.8763.3835.9825.4​Notes1. Data are in current prices (i.e. have not been adjusted for inflation).​​Gross value added (GVA) expressed in current prices, for Creative Industries sub-sectors in ScotlandUnit: £mYears: 2010 - 2015Coverage: UK​ Sub-sector201020112012201320142015Advertising and marketing167.7209.7227.1270.3183.1224.0Architecture180.7206.0169.6188.8211.7216.7Crafts11.314.511.58.320.415.2Design and designer fashion55.873.1118.689.599.6107.6Film, TV, video, radio and photography207.3305.4233.4248.8262.1273.6IT, software and computer services1.237.31,217.71,283.11,436.61,683.11,899.3Publishing461.0330.6372.3286.7335.8324.8Museums, galleries and libraries132.0158.1176.4256.5200.079.5Music, performing and visual arts281.6361.3251.9274.1176.6256.1Creative Industries2,734.72,876.52,843.83,059.63,172.23,396.9​Notes1. Data are in current prices (i.e. have not been adjusted for inflation).​Gross value added (GVA) expressed in current prices, for Creative Industries sub-sectors in Northern IrelandUnit: £mYears: 2010 - 2015Coverage: UK​​​Sub-sector201020112012201320142015Advertising and marketing36.351.362.065.952.090.2Architecture67.095.667.374.273.562.4Crafts1.13.42.02.45.43.8Design and designer fashion38.027.138.038.322.322.7Film, TV, video, radio and photography53.432.040.574.893.285.5IT, software and computer services521.0469.8507.6478.0554.3549.5Publishing157.6121.8106.085.393.877.8Museums, galleries and libraries12.920.224.117.413.814.9Music, performing and visual arts68.164.093.6119.975.963.3Creative Industries955.4885.3941.0956.2984.1970.0​Notes1. Data are in current prices (i.e. have not been adjusted for inflation).

Art Works

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the art market and artists on artist's resale rights.

John Glen: My officials and those of the Intellectual Property Office meet with representatives of the art market and artists on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues including on artist's resale rights. Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Gov.uk website.

Sanitary Protection: VAT

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason the Tampon Tax Fund cannot be used for campaigning and awareness raising.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's publication, Tampon Tax Fund 2017/18 - Guidance for Applicants, what her Department's definition of campaigning and awareness raising is.

Tracey Crouch: The purpose of the Tampon Tax Fund is to allocate the funds generated from the VAT on sanitary products to front line projects that directly improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls, not to fund awareness-raising or campaigning. Successful applicants can use Tampon Tax Fund funding to promote their project to potential beneficiaries, and to organisations and individuals, which may refer beneficiaries to the project i.e. raise awareness of the project and the services provided by that project. However, the following can not be funded by the Tampon Tax Fund: activity intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants, or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action.

LiFi

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what her Department's policy is on the rollout of LiFi.

Matt Hancock: We continue to monitor the development of this exciting technology. All DCMS policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it is up to date.

Public Service Broadcasting: Ofcom

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress she has made on implementing the provision in the Digital Economy Act 2017 on introducing a new Ofcom power on public service broadcasting criteria for the commissioning of children’s content; and what the timetable is for the formal stakeholder consultation to begin.

Matt Hancock: The government gave Ofcom powers, through the Digital Economy Act 2017, to publish criteria for children's programmes and, where appropriate, to set conditions on licensed public service channels to ensure that children’s programming meets the criteria. On 29 November Ofcom launched a Review of Children's Content and have invited initial input to the review by 31 January 2018. It intends to publish its findings, alongside any proposed regulatory measures, in summer 2018.

S4C Independent Review

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2017 to Question 118314, on S4C Independent Review, whether the list of all parties consulted will include all those who were invited to submit evidence.

Matt Hancock: A list of individuals and organisations that submitted evidence, events attended and other evidence will be published as part of the review.

Department of Health

Visual Impairment

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have experienced preventable sight loss.

Mr Philip Dunne: Data is collected on the total number of people certified as visually impaired in England. This data includes leading cause of certification, however, this data cannot be broken down to show whether the sight loss leading to certification was preventable.

Eating Disorders: Children

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of children who began treatment for eating disorders and who have completed that treatment since 2010.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information is not available in the format requested. However, NHS England’s Children and Young People with an Eating Disorder Waiting Times data contains information on the number of children and young people who have accessed, or are waiting for treatment following a routine or urgent referral for a suspected eating disorder. Data for this collection is available back to Quarter 1 2016/17, and is available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cyped-waiting-times/

Mental Illness: Children and Young People

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of children and young people who have been admitted to hospital on account of mental health problems since 2010.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information requested is not collected. NHS Digital’s Hospital Episode Statistics database contains records of hospital episodes and attendances, but not of the number of people admitted.

Mental Health Services

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of mental health services that have opened in schools and non-health settings since 2010.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information requested is not held centrally. We know that around half of schools and colleges already have a dedicated lead for mental health. 61% of schools currently offer counselling, and 90% of schools and colleges offer staff training on supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.

Self-harm: Children and Young People

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people in England aged between 10 and 24 who have been admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm per 100,000 since 2010.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people in England aged 25 and over who have been admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm per 100,000 for each year since 2010.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people in each region of England aged between 10 and 24 who have been admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm per 100,000 since 2010.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people in each region of England aged 25 and over who have been admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm per 100,000 since 2010.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people in each clinical commissioning group aged between 10 and 24 who have been admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm per 100,000 since 2010.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people in each clinical commission group aged 25 and over who have been admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm per 100,000 since 2010.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information is not available in the format requested.

Mental Health: Children

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to address the mental health needs of child refugees.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Child refugees are entitled to the same rights as other looked-after children and young people, including access to National Health Service mental health services. The NHS actively seeks to meet the unique needs of a wide range of vulnerable groups, including asylum seekers of all ages, and local NHS services have legal duties to meet the varied needs of their population. Access to mental health services is based on clinical need. To improve the offer to all children, the Government published the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper on 4 December. This sets out an ambitious set of proposals to transform support for children and young people’s mental health generally.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his Department's proposals in its Green Paper on children and young people's mental health, published on 4 December 2017, if he will set out the sources of the funding for those proposals.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We are consulting on how to implement the proposals set out in the Green Paper. Following consultation, the Department will make available funding to take forward the proposals, in addition to the existing funding available for children and young people’s mental health transformation. Details will follow in due course.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his Department's proposals in its Green Paper on children and young people's mental health, published on 4 December 2017, whether the funding referred to is additional to money already allocated for mental health.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Additional funding for ‘Transforming Children and Young People’s mental health provision: a green paper’ will be made available following public consultation.

Prisoners: Accident and Emergency Departments

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his Department's policy for inmates to be seen immediately when they are taken to local A&E services.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England does not issue national guidance on this matter. In England, it would be a matter for local clinical commissioning groups as commissioners of emergency care. In practice, a person would be triaged in the same way as any other person arriving at accident and emergency and would be seen on the basis of seriousness of their presentation. The fact they are brought in from a prison would have no bearing on their urgency at being seen, this would be solely down to their clinical presentation.

Obesity: Surgery

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have had weight-loss operations in each of the last five years.

Mr Philip Dunne: Finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with a primary diagnosis of obesity and a main or secondary procedure of ‘bariatric surgery’ are shown in the table below. The term ‘bariatric surgery’ is often used to define a group of procedures that can be performed to facilitate weight loss. It should be noted that the figures are a count of FCEs, not patients, as it is possible for a patient to have more than one episode of care in any given time period. Financial YearCount of FCEs for bariatric surgery2012/138,0242013/146,3842014/156,0322015/166,4382016/176,760 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Digital.

Organs: Donors

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies on organ donation of data shown on page 53 of the Welsh Government’s Evaluation of the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act, published on 30 November 2017, showing that rates of donation among Welsh resident donors have fallen since the change in the law in that country.

Jackie Doyle-Price: A consultation impact assessment has been published as part of the Government’s public consultation. This suggests that, when introduced as part of a wider communication and logistical package, opt out systems of consent can be associated with higher donation rates. Important evidence continues to become available from the Welsh Government on impact of the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013, including that a longer period of time is needed to draw firmer conclusions on the impact of the change in the law. The Department invites further evidence to be submitted on factors not considered in the consultation analysis. These will be carefully considered before the Government’s final response to the consultation.

NHS Trusts

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what requirements his Department has placed on NHS Trusts to consult (a) staff and (b) local residents on changes to services provided by those Trusts.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what requirements his Department has placed on NHS Trusts to consult Governors prior to any changes to services provided by those Trusts.

Mr Philip Dunne: The National Health Service has published documentation to guide public, staff, and Governor involvement in proposed services changes. The guidance document ‘Engaging local people: A guide for local areas developing Sustainability and Transformation Plans’ was published in September 2016 and contains relevant information on public involvement and consultation. Clinical commissioning groups and NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts are also required to have regard to relevant guidance. However, where there are concerns on patient safety grounds, the normal procedures for public consultation do not apply. With regard to staff, NHS Improvement’s November 2017 document ‘Transactions guidance – for trusts undertaking transactions, including mergers and acquisitions’ sets out how NHS Improvement works closely with the NHS trust board to ensure staff are engaged in any transaction process. NHS Improvement would look for evidence of engagement with key staff and stakeholders as evidence of good practice through its assessment process. Governors, in foundation trusts only, are required by law to represent the interests of both members of the NHS foundation trust and of the public. They may choose a range of different ways to engage with these groups. NHS Improvement is aware of a number of methods that some Councils of Governors have chosen to adopt, such as Governor “drop-in days” where members and the public can come and meet Governors, and surveys.

Baby Care Units

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department has issued on the recommended level of staffing of clinicians for Special Care Baby Units.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department has issued on the recommended level of staffing of clinicians for Maternity Units.

Mr Philip Dunne: Since July 2016, the National Quality Board (NQB) has undertaken to produce a series of sector-specific resources including maternity and neonatal care. These build upon “Supporting NHS providers to deliver the right staff, with the right skills, in the right place at the right time: Safe, sustainable and productive staffing” and adopt the same approach to determining safe staffing levels. In June 2017 NHS Improvement published a draft improvement resource on behalf of the NQB to help standardise safe, sustainable and productive staffing decisions in maternity services “Safe, sustainable and productive staffing: An improvement resource for maternity services”. NHS Improvement is currently reviewing feedback on this draft resource which will help to shape the final document. In November 2017, NHS Improvement also published a draft improvement resource to help standardise safe, sustainable and productive staffing decisions in neonatal care “Safe, sustainable and productive staffing: An improvement resource for neonatal care”. The engagement period for this draft resource will run until 22 December 2017. Providers are expected to follow existing guidance for safe staffing levels. For maternity services, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance in February 2015 “Safe midwifery staffing for maternity settings”, NICE guideline [NG4]. The document is available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng4/chapter/1-Recommendations#setting-the-midwifery-staffing-establishment For neonatal units, the British Association for Perinatal Medicine has set recommended staffing levels in the third edition of its Service Standards for Hospitals Providing Neonatal Care published in August 2010. The document is available at: http://www.nna.org.uk/html/BAPM_Standards_Final_Aug2010.pdf

Strokes: Health Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department issues on recommended clinician staffing levels for stroke units.

Mr Philip Dunne: The recommended staffing levels in the National Guidelines for Stroke (5th edition) in 2016 are as follows:  Physio-therapistOccupational therapistSpeech and language therapistClinical neuro-psychologist/clinical psychologistDietitianNurseConsultant stroke physician(Whole-time equivalent per five beds)(Whole-time equivalent per bed) Hyper-acute Stroke Unit0.730.680.340.200.152.9 (80:20 registered: unregistered)24/7 availability; minimum six thrombolysis trained physicians on rotaAcute Stroke Unit0.840.810.400.200.151.35 (65:35 registered: unregistered)Consultant-led ward round five days a week

Mental Health: Children and Young People

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve the mental health of children and young people from a BAME background who identify as LGBT+.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Access to mental health services is based on clinical need. It is important that the National Health Service accommodates the requirements of vulnerable groups through staff training, awareness raising and reasonable adjustments to services. To improve the offer to all children, the Government published ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper’ on 4 December. This sets out an ambitious set of proposals to transform support for children and young people’s mental health, including those who identify as Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender+ (LGBT+).

Mental Health

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of chronic loneliness in England.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Loneliness is complex and its causes are multi-layered. It may have a number of contributory factors that are both physical and emotional. A number of the Department’s programmes either directly or indirectly address loneliness in helping people to feel part of the community as well as providing one-to-one support. For example, social prescribing can tackle loneliness and social isolation through providing a way of linking patients with non-medical sources of support within the community. NHS England is encouraging general practitioners to develop social prescribing as one of the 10 high impact actions in the General Practice Forward View, published in April 2016. In August 2017 the Department launched the Health and Wellbeing Fund 2017-18, a grant fund for voluntary and community sector organisations for social prescribing projects. The application window closed on 21 November and successful schemes will be announced in due course.

Mental Health Services: Weather

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of the winter resilience fund has been allocated to mental health trusts; and how that allocation was decided.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons his Department has offered mental health providers winter resilience funding; and whether he plans to offer such funding to those providers in future years.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of the winter resilience budget has been (a) allocated and (b) spent.

Mr Philip Dunne: £337 million of additional funding to help trusts to increase capacity over winter was announced in the Autumn Budget. Of this, up to £18 million will be for mental health services, such as providing additional liaison mental health staff who can relieve the burden on stretched accident and emergency units by identifying patients in need of specialist treatment and referring them to more appropriate care more quickly. NHS England have written to National Health Service trusts confirming their allocations. No decision has been made on winter funding for future years.

Orthopaedics: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many amputations were carried out in hospitals in the West Midlands as a result of type 2 diabetes in each of the last five years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS Digital were able to provide us with the following data that details the count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with a primary diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and a main procedure of amputation for the Government Office Region for the West Midlands, for the financial years between 2012-13 and 2016-17.  2012-132013-142014-152015-162016-17West Midlands164159177155190Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS DigitalActivity in English National Health Service Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.

Orkambi

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on the NHS England and Vertex negotiations around a pipeline deal for Orkambi for people with cystic fibrosis age 12 and over.

Jackie Doyle-Price: In July 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the independent body that develops guidance on drugs and treatments for clinical and cost effectiveness for the National Health Service in England, was unable to recommend Orkambi as a cost effective use of NHS resources. NICE concluded that, although clinically significant for managing cystic fibrosis, the longer term outcomes and benefits were not sufficient to justify its considerable costs. Orkambi is not therefore routinely available to NHS patients with cystic fibrosis. Since then there has been a constructive dialogue underway between the company, NHS England and NICE, including discussion hosted through NICE’s confidential ‘Office for Market Access’, although NICE is yet to receive any fresh proposals from Vertex, the company that manufactures Orkambi. Both NHS England and NICE have been consistent in advice to Vertex, that progress can only be made by working through NICE’s appraisal processes and the existing commercial framework. Any funding decisions in the absence of positive NICE technology appraisal guidance should be made by NHS commissioners based on an assessment of the available evidence and on the basis of an individual patient’s clinical circumstances.

Mental Health Services

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to recommendation 38 from the Independent Mental Health Taskforce's Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, whether Health Education England plans to work with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to develop standards for prescribing professionals.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Health Education England has met with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and other partners, to discuss this issue and the development of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society‘s comprehensive national competency framework for all prescribers, which underwent wide consultation and is due for review in 2020.

Strokes: Medical Treatments

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to support the NHS roll-out of new and innovative mechanical thrombectomy techniques in the treatment of stroke.

Mr Philip Dunne: In April this year, NHS England announced that it will commission mechanical thrombectomy so it can become more widely available for patients who have certain types of acute ischaemic stroke – a severe form of the condition. Work by NHS England is now underway to assess the readiness of 24 neuroscience centres across the country. It is expected the treatment will start to be phased in shortly with an estimated 1,000 patients set to benefit across the first year of introduction. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published interventional procedure guidance in February 2016, titled “mechanical clot retrieval for treating acute ischaemic stroke”. The guidance reviews the safety and efficacy of the procedure. The decision on whether to fund this procedure is made at a local National Health Service level and usually on a case-by-case basis.

Social Services

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has commissioned into the financial liabilities of the social care sector of overnight carers sleeping at their place of work.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government has been working with representatives of the social care sector to understand how liabilities of back pay for “sleep-in” shifts impact the provision of care for vulnerable people. A piece of market analysis was commissioned over the summer to better understand the scale of the liability and a piece of qualitative research was conducted to assess any impact on providers. The Government intends to continue to strengthen the evidence base, engaging more widely with the social care sector to build on the work that has already been done.

Medicine: Research

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which NHS body has responsibility for commissioning new clinical research?

Jackie Doyle-Price: The commissioning of publicly-funded new early translational, clinical and applied research across the National Health Service and the health and care system more widely is undertaken largely by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which is funded by the Department. In 2016/17, the NIHR funded £1,035.7 million of research across its programme, research infrastructure in the NHS and training funding streams. The NIHR then openly publishes all of the results of its research in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, the NIHR provides summaries, digests and reviews of clinical research for health and care professionals via the NIHR Dissemination Centre. The NIHR funds ‘needs-led’ research – it aims to address issues that matter to the NHS, public health and care system by identifying gaps in knowledge, and funding research that provides high-quality evidence to fill such gaps. To achieve this the NIHR undertakes activities to identify needs, working closely with users of research evidence – those responsible for establishing policy, commissioning services and delivering care. Possible programmes and topics for research are reviewed by advisory groups of external experts and public members to assess the need for the proposed research, and are then prioritised.

Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the Sustainability Transformation Partnerships assurance process is relating to the detail of Future in Mind?

Mr Philip Dunne: National Health Service clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have worked with providers across health, social care, education and youth justice and the voluntary sectors, to develop local transformation plans (LTPs) for children and young people’s mental health, in line with the proposals in Future in Mind. Each CCG remains accountable for their individual organisational plans, and it is for local organisations to decide how best to implement local plans and to ensure that they have the support of NHS bodies, local government and the communities they serve. NHS England and NHS Improvement will continue to have roles in ensuring that commissioners and providers respectively deliver on their plans. However, in bringing together the CCGs in their area, and their LTPs, the Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STP) have created an opportunity for all the commissioners in a health economy to work together to improve mental health in their area. It is for local areas to decide how to incorporate the LTPs into their STP plans.

Mental Health Services: Children

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of the additional funding amended in 2016 for (a) early intervention psychosis services, (b) crisis care and (c) crisis resolution home treatment team was diverted for people under 18.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We hold no evidence of diversion of funding as described in the question.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the (a) total funding and (b) proportion of the overall budget allocated to mental health services in accident and emergency departments.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS England advise that information on total funding allocated to mental health services in accident and emergency departments is not held centrally. It is for individual commissioners to determine the level of spend on specific services. Nationally, we are investing £247 million to implement liaison mental health teams in acute hospitals by 2020, with 50% of these meeting the core 24 standard of providing 24/7 services. To date, there are liaison teams in almost all acute hospitals in England, 10% of which are currently meeting the core 24 standard.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his Department's policy to ensure that all clinical commissioning groups provide the full cycle of IVF treatment for patients that meet the NICE fertility guidelines for treatment.

Mr Philip Dunne: It is the Department’s policy position that cycles of in vitro fertilisation offered by the National Health Service should meet the definitions of a full cycle described in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Fertility Guidelines. A benchmark price for this standard cycle is being developed by NHS England and will be available to clinical commissioning groups in 2018/19.

Department of Health: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, to which legislation his Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Department does not keep a formal record of the legislation to which the Family Test was applied. However, it is a Departmental requirement for all submissions to Ministers on policy, including legislation, to cover all relevant legal duties including the Family Test. The Department has also highlighted the importance of the Family Test through its online resources for policy officials.

Prescription Drugs: Expenditure

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the total NHS drugs bill was in each of the last 10 years; and how much of that bill was offset by prescription charges income in each those years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The table below shows total primary and secondary care drug spend as recorded by the Department for the last 10 years, in England only. Total Departmental drug spend 2007-08 to 2016-17YearTotal Primary care drugs spendTotal Secondary care drugs spendTotal Departmental drugs spend(£ billion)(£ billion)(£ billion)2007/087.73.310.92008/097.73.611.42009/107.94.011.92010/118.34.312.52011/128.24.512.72012/137.95.112.92013/148.05.313.32014/158.25.914.12015/168.56.515.12016/178.56.915.4 The Department holds income for those prescription charges. The data held is in relation to the National Health Service in England only. The totals for each can be seen in the table below:  Financial YearIncome from Fees Charged (£ million)2007-08451.22008-09459.32009-10450.42010-11456.02011-12426.12012-13449.62013-14470.72014-15503.92015-16523.52016-17554.9

Prescription Drugs: Prices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether any pharmaceutical companies have reduced their pricing schedules as a result his Department's scrutiny; and whether he will place the results in the Library of any investigations undertaken by his Department and the Competition and Markets Authority in the last 10 years.

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2017, subsequently corrected on 12 December 2017, to Question 109619, on Prescription Drugs: Prices, whether any pharmaceutical company has had its contract with the NHS terminated as a result of investigations undertaken by (a) his Department or (b) the Competition and Markets Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department aims to ensure the continuity of supply of medicines while ensuring that the National Health Service obtains value for money from its spend on medicines. The costs of branded medicine are controlled by the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme and the statutory scheme for branded medicines. For unbranded generic medicines the Department relies on competition to keep prices down. In primary care community pharmacies are incentivised to source products at the lowest possible cost and in secondary care, competitive tenders ensure value-for-money to the NHS. Where competition does not appear to be working, the Department alerts the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Where the CMA finds that a company has breached competition law by charging excessive prices it can impose a fine as well as order companies to reduce their prices. In those instances the Department will seek damages and invest that money back into the NHS. Investigations and infringements decisions by the CMA are publicly available on the CMA’s website.

Crisis Care Concordat Steering Group

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat steering group last met; and when he plans to convene that steering group's next meeting.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat Steering Group last met on 6 September 2016 and the next meeting will take place on 10 January 2018.

Continuing Care

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of medically optimised patients in hospital because they do not have a care package in place by (a) hospital and (b) local authority area.

Jackie Doyle-Price: This data is not available in the format requested.1 NHS England publishes monthly data on delayed transfers of care. The latest data is for October 2017 and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/delayed-transfers-of-care/ Note: 1As of April 2017, data on the number of patients delayed on the last Thursday of the month is no longer being collected. This measure has been replaced in the Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC) publication files by a similar measure called DTOC Beds. The DTOC Beds figure is calculated by dividing the number of delayed days during the month by the number of calendar days in the month. This provides a similar figure to the patient snapshot, but is more representative of the entire month rather than providing a view on one particular day. The time series for patient snapshot data is available for the period August 2010 to March 2017.

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the health effects of vapour plumes emitted from waste incinerators on the local population.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The effects of modern municipal waste incinerators on human health were reviewed by the Health Protection Agency, whose functions were transferred to Public Health England (PHE) on 1 April 2013. The report, published in September 2009, concluded “Modern, well managed incinerators make only a small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants. It is possible that such small additions could have an impact on health but such effects, if they exist, are likely to be very small and not detectable.” PHE will review its advice in light of new substantial research on the health effects of incinerators published in peer reviewed journals. To date, PHE is not aware of any evidence that requires a change in their position statement.

Maternity Services: Birth Rate

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the birth rates were at each freestanding midwife-led unit in each year since 2011.

Mr Philip Dunne: Information on the birth rate at each freestanding midwife-led unit in each year since 2011 is not held centrally. The National Maternity and Perinatal Audit published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in November 2017 reported that at the start of 2017, there were 63 midwife-led units in England, the majority of which have fewer than 500 births annually. Between April 2015 and March 2016, 1.4% of all births in England took place in a freestanding midwifery unit. More women start labour in midwife-led settings than give birth there due to transfers during labour. The Birthplace study reported a 36% transfer rate from freestanding midwifery units.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which Clinical Commissioning Groups are forecasting an overspend for the 2017-18 financial year.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England Quarter 2 Financial Performance reports show the clinical commissioning groups forecasting an overspend for the 2017-18 financial year. These can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/financial-information-q2-17-18.pdf

Gambling: Children and Young People

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the number of people between the age of 16 and 21 who were receiving treatment for gambling addiction in (a) 2010 and (b) 2017 to date.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department does not hold information on the numbers of people who have received counselling or other treatment for an addiction to gambling in 2010 to 2017. Problem gamblers can access services in primary care and secondary care including specialised mental health and addiction services. Any decisions on the commissioning of effective treatment services are the responsibility of local commissioners, based on an assessment of local need.

NHS: Finance

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) NHS trusts and (b) Foundation Trusts have been placed in (i) special measures and (ii) financial special measures in each year since 2012; how many of those Trusts remain in special measures, and if he will publish that information.

Mr Philip Dunne: Since 2012, there have been 37 instances of trusts entering Special Measures for Quality and 14 instances of trusts entering Special Measures for Finance. As of 15 December 2017, there are 16 trusts in Special Measures for Quality; of which five are foundation trusts and 11 are National Health Service trusts. There have been 21 instances of trusts exiting Special Measures for Quality; of which 13 are foundation trusts and eight are NHS trusts. This includes three trusts that have subsequently re-entered Special Measures for Quality; of which two are foundation trusts and one is an NHS trust. As of 15 December 2017, there are 11 trusts in Special Measures for Finance; of which five are foundation trusts and six are NHS trusts. Three trusts have exited Special Measures for Finance; of which one is a foundation trust and two are NHS trusts. Information regarding special measures is published on NHS Improvement’s website.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his Department's publication Future in Mind, published in March 2015, whether his Department has plans to review the target for 35 per cent of children with diagnosable mental health conditions to receive treatment by 2020-21 as a result of the publication of the green paper, Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government remains committed to meeting the goals set out in NHS England’s Five Year Forward View for Mental Health and accompanying implementation plan. However, as set out in Implementing the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, the target of 35% of children with a diagnosable mental health condition receiving treatment by 2020/21 will be reviewed in 2018 following publication of a new national prevalence study.

Mental Health Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department intends to ringfence mental health budgets in the NHS.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department has no such plans. The Department does not generally ringfence budgets within the National Health Service. Clinicians in clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), who know their patients, have the autonomy to make decisions about the health services that best meet the health needs of their local population. They do this based on patient needs and clinical evidence. The NHS Operational Planning and Contracting Guidance applies to CCGs and sets out specific requirements, including commissioning mental health services that meet the needs of local populations. This guidance also requires CCGs and NHS England specialised commissioning hubs to increase their spend on mental health services by a greater amount than the growth in their overall programme allocation.

Health Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many analyses have been jointly undertaken by (a) the NHS, (b) his Department and (c) Public Health England with the (i) Global Burden of Disease or (ii) Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in each of the last five years; and if he will place copies of any published reports of those studies in the Library.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Since 2014, Public Health England has an on-going contractual relationship with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) to provide data and quality assure the modelling work undertaken by IHME. The Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) 2013 findings were published in a series of papers on subjects such as: smoking; overweight and obesity; HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; disability-adjusted life years, and risk factors. The papers are available at:http://www.thelancet.com/gbd/2013Starting with GBD 2015, annual updates of GBD estimates are being produced to provide policymakers, donors, and other decision-makers with the most timely and useful picture of population health. GBD 2015 findings have been published in a series of papers and reports and can be found here:http://www.healthdata.org/gbd/publicationsGBD collaborators are currently at work on the next update.

Mental Health Services: Education

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the proposed ratio is between Mental Health Support Teams and schools and colleges.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The ratio of Mental Health Support Teams to schools and colleges, as well as staffing ratios, will be determined according to local circumstances, and will be informed through responses to the Green Paper consultation and tested by initial trailblazer sites.

NHS 111

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of NHS 111 calls received clinical assessment in (a) March 2017 and (b) October 2017.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England publishes monthly data on calls to the NHS 111 service. This shows that 29.6% of calls in March 2017 and 36.8% of calls in October 2017 received clinical input. The latest data is for November 2017 and can be accessed at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/nhs-111-minimum-data-set/

Urgent Care Centres

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent progress has been made on plans to roll-out Urgent Treatment Centres by Spring 2018.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England is working closely with commissioners and providers to identify the facilities that are to be designated as urgent treatment centres and, where necessary, ensure a plan is in place to meet the standards by spring 2018.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the value is of the NHS Improvement Mental Health workforce development budget announced in the Health Education England national workforce strategy.

Jackie Doyle-Price: ‘Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future; A draft health and care workforce strategy for England to 2027’ is currently subject to consultation. The consultation will lead to a workforce strategy for the health service, to be published in summer 2018. The precise mental health workforce development budget will be established at this point.

Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HM YOI Cookham Wood published in December 2017, what the reasons were for the instances of (a) no available beds and (b) delayed transfers.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Due to the complexity and challenge that many children and young people held in the youth justice estate present with, it is often necessary to undertake a more detailed assessment of need, so the most suitable placement can be secured. This can cause delays in the transfer process.

Mental Health Services: Staff

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS mental health staff there were in the most recent period for which figures are available; and how many such staff he estimates there will be in 2020.

Jackie Doyle-Price: In its Stepping forward to 20/21: Mental Health Workforce Plan for England, Health Education England reported that 194,000 people were employed by the National Health Service providing care for people who need mental health services in 2016. The workforce plan for England envisages the total number of NHS staff employed in mental health will rise to 213,000 in 2020, an increase of 19,000. Stepping forward to 2020/21: The mental health workforce plan for England is available at: www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/CCS0717505185-1_FYFV%20Mental%20health%20workforce%20plan%20for%20England_v5%283%29.pdf

Health: Children

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of children who are withdrawn from being weighed on the Healthy Child Programme; and what assessment he has made of the effect of those withdrawals on the accuracy of statistics published on children's weight.

Jackie Doyle-Price: There is no national data collection of weight recorded as part of the Healthy Child Programme, hence there are no national statistics published or data of those children withdrawn.

Obesity: Children

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 118072, on children: obesity, what the other professionals are which are cited.

Jackie Doyle-Price: School nurses do not hold a data base of children who are overweight or obese. If a school nurse, as the lead for the Healthy Child Programme (5-19), identifies a child who is overweight or obese they would work with the child and family, together with other professionals where appropriate, such as dieticians, school staff and wider health and social care professionals, to provide evidence-based interventions regarding healthy weight and healthy eating. Parents would be encouraged to discuss the issue with their local general practitioner. School nurses would only share information as agreed within the local data sharing protocol.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of social care providers that are eligible for the new Social Care Compliance Scheme through the use of sleep-in shifts.

Margot James: All social care providers who provide sleep-in shifts have the opportunity to apply for the Social Care Compliance Scheme; with the exception of those who have previously i) been prosecuted for underpayment of the National Minimum Wage; or ii) declined an invitation from HMRC to join the scheme.The acceptance of any individual application is subject to HMRC’s discretion based on published criteria.

National Grid plc

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the National Grid on its investment portfolio and its plans for future investment in the UK.

Richard Harrington: The Government has regular discussions with National Grid across a range of energy matters, including investment in the UK. As the electricity Transmission Owner for England and Wales, National Grid is investing approximately £9 billion over the current RIIO price control period of 2013-21. Over the same period, National Grid is investing £2 billion in the gas transmission network. National Grid Ventures, National Grid’s commercial development arm separate from the core regulated business, is investing around £2 billion in new electricity interconnectors, including the 1 gigawatt (GW) Nemo Link to Belgium, the 1 GW IFA2 link to France, and the 1.4 GW North Sea Link to Norway. It is also planning further links, including the 1.4 GW Viking Link interconnector to Denmark.

Korea Electric Power Corporation

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Korea Electric Power Corporation currently holds a licence to manufacture nuclear reactors in the UK.

Richard Harrington: Any nuclear vendor wishing to deploy their reactor technology in the UK is required to comply with the UK’s regulatory and licensing requirements, and must successfully complete a Generic Design Assessment. Toshiba recently awarded Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) preferred bidder status for acquiring Nugen and further commercial decisions would be required before any regulatory processes could begin.

Nuclear Power Stations: Cumbria

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what comparative assessment he has made of the anticipated total output of the entire Moorside nuclear plant utilising the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor design and the Korea Electric Power Corporation APR-1400 nuclear reactor design.

Richard Harrington: Nugen’s published plans under Toshiba were to deploy three AP1000 reactors, each designed to produce a net power output of 1117 Megawatts. Now Toshiba has awarded Korea Electric Power Corporation preferred bidder status for acquiring Nugen, we will engage the companies to understand their proposals for the Moorside project.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what number and percentage of their Department's answers to written parliamentary questions in the current session have advised that the requested information was not available on the grounds of the disproportionate cost associated with data collection and collation.

Margot James: As of 14th December 2017, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has answered 18 written parliamentary questions explaining that the requested information was not available on the grounds of disproportionate cost in the current session. This is out of a total of 1573 parliamentary questions that have been answered this session to date.

Helium: Prices

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of changes in the cost of the price of liquid helium in the UK in the last 10 years.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 14 December 2017



The Department has not made an assessment of the changes in the cost of the price of liquid helium in the last 10 years.

Electricity: Prices

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans the Government has to ensure that UK consumers can benefit from the cheapest sources of electricity.

Margot James: Holding answer received on 14 December 2017



The design of the Capacity Market drives fierce competition with existing and new resources, of all technology types, competing together. These auctions allow the market to identify which technology type is cost efficient in delivering security of supply, creating good value outcomes for consumers. Similarly, the recent Contracts for Difference allocation round for low carbon generation has demonstrated that the costs of offshore wind have fallen significantly, driven by sustained competition for support.We are also supporting an increase in Britain’s interconnection capacity by ensuring a stable regime under which interconnector developers can bring forward projects to enable access to cheaper electricity from Europe at times of peak demand.

Carbon Emissions

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that there is sufficient low carbon electricity generation in the UK to meet the requirements of the fifth carbon budget.

Claire Perry: The Government’s Clean Growth Strategy sets out stretching domestic policies that keep us on track to meet our carbon budgets.

Northern Powergrid: Powers of Entry

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on the number of times that Northern Powergrid has exercised the provision in section 9(1) (a) of Schedule 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 to enter a person’s property to place a new electric line in that property in the last 12 months.

Richard Harrington: There is no requirement for Northern Powergrid or the other Distribution Network Operators to provide this information to the Department. Therefore, this information is not collected and, as a consequence, we do not hold it.

EU Grants and Loans

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2017 to Question 110674, on EU Grants and Loans, what the values are of the contracts already signed which continue into the financial years of (a) 2018, (b) 2019 and (c) 2020.

Margot James: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 6 November to Question UIN 110674.

Construction: Industrial Health and Safety

Martin Whitfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to increase the subsidy from the public purse for health and safety courses undertaken as part of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme card application process.

Margot James: The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) plays an important role in promoting relevant competency standards and health and safety awareness in construction. Government recognises the positive contribution that the Scheme makes, both to the construction industry and the clients it serves. However, the CSCS card is not a Government scheme, nor is the holding of a CSCS card a statutory requirement for employment in the construction industry. We therefore have no current plans to subsidise the Scheme.

EU Grants and Loans

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the value of EU Structural and Investment funding not already committed to existing contracts held by Local Enterprise Partnerships.

Margot James: In England, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) do not sign contracts for European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, but receive a notional funding allocation for their area. Contracts are signed between the Managing Authority (MA) and the project beneficiaries. The total amounts of ESI Funds that remain uncommitted across all English LEP areas are: -£1,262m for the European Social Fund-£1,610m for the European Regional Development Fund-£179m for the Growth Programme of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is not allocated on the basis of LEP areas.

Energy: Housing

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to bring all properties occupied by fuel-poor households up to Energy Performance Certificate band C by 2030.

Claire Perry: The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) requires energy companies to fund household energy efficiency improvements each year. 70% of ECO is now focussed on improving the energy efficiency of low income and vulnerable and we intend to consult on moving that to 100% for the next Obligation period. Combined with energy bill rebates provided under the Government’s Warm Home Discount scheme, this is at least £770 million of support to low income and vulnerable households in 2017/18.In the Clean Growth Strategy, the Government committed to extend support for home energy efficiency out to 2028 at least as the current levels of ECO funding (£640m per annum), and review the best form of support beyond 2022, recognising the need both to save carbon and to meet the Government’s commitment to upgrade all fuel poor homes to EPC Band C by 2030.In addition, Government has legislated so that from April 2018 all landlords of the worst performing privately rented properties must meet a minimum standard of Energy Performance Certificate Band E, before properties can be let. In the longer term, Government has committed to looking at raising energy performance standards across the private rented sector further, with a view for as many properties to reach Energy Performance Certificate Band C by 2030.

Nuclear Power: Safety

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he expects the establishment of a domestic civil nuclear safeguards regime on leaving Euratom to involve an increase in charges by the Office for Nuclear Regulation to the industry.

Richard Harrington: In establishing a domestic civil nuclear safeguards regime, there are two associated costs: the cost of establishing the new regime and the cost of its operation by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). As set out in answers to questions UIN 108904 and 109996, the Department will allocate to the ONR the funding necessary to set up the regime. In regards to the operation of this new regime, no decision has yet been made on whether it will be appropriate, at some point, to put in place charging arrangements similar to those that exist for regulatory work carried out by the Office for Nuclear Regulation on safety and security. Any such decision will be informed by consultation, including with industry, on the secondary legislation that we propose to make using the powers in the Nuclear Safeguards Bill.

Government Chemist

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the role and work of the Government Chemist.

Joseph Johnson: The main work of the Government Chemist is the resolution of measurement science disputes in the food and feed control system and associated capability-building research. The demand-led nature of this work makes prediction of future trends difficult. Where EU law has an influence, such as on official controls and import controls, this is not expected to change in the short to medium term as it will be transposed into UK law as part of the UK’s exit arrangements from the EU.

Housing: Energy

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will place in the Library, a copy of the project specification for the £1.4 million three-year research project on new low carbon homes contained in the Clean Growth Strategy.

Claire Perry: A copy of the specification for the £1.4 million three-year research project on new low carbon homes which is reference in the Clean Growth Strategy is available here, under the heading ‘OJEU-CR16118BEIS - RFP Request for Proposal’. https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2e89a4ce-0048-4ce1-aee3-a492467ec550The project has since been re-named as ‘Building for 2050’.

Government Chemist: Finance

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what funding from the public purse has been allocated to the Government Chemist in each of the last ten years.

Joseph Johnson: The Government Chemist fulfils statutory and advisory functions, both of which are funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The budget allocated to the Government Chemist programme between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2018 is as follows: 2007/82008/92009/102010/112011/122012/132013/142014/152015/162017/18£1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.1m£1.12m

Industry

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to his oral contribution of 12 December,  when he plans to announce sector deals for the (a) food and drink, (b) hospitality, (c) steel, (d) care and (e) agriculture sectors.

Claire Perry: There is no deadline for sector deals. We will prioritise proposals that are ambitious, deliverable, have clear implementation plans and demonstrate analytically robust and real-world impact on the productivity of their sector.There is also no requirement for any sector to have a deal but we are prepared to work with those which can self-organise behind strong leadership, offer a compelling case for sector specific action, and set out clear proposals to transform their sector.Since the publication of the Green Paper in January the response has been emphatic, not only in endorsing the concept of Sector Deals but in generating a wide range of proposals and we have been working with many of them in recent months. We will announce details in the New Year.

Wind Power

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to support investment in the onshore wind industry; and what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of that sector to the UK's energy needs.

Richard Harrington: Over 12 GW of installed onshore wind capacity was operational in the UK at the end of the second quarter of 2017. This investment was supported by schemes such as the Renewables Obligation (RO), which are funded by bill payers. Further onshore wind farms are expected to deploy up to March 2019 with support from the RO, utilising grace periods provided by the Energy Act 2016 and the Renewables Obligation Closure Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 and the Renewables Obligation Closure (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016. In addition, around 690MW of onshore wind capacity has been contracted to deploy under the Contracts for Difference (CFD) regime by 2019, which was established to replace the RO. The Government is seeking state aid approval to classify remote island wind as a separate technology in group 2 of the CFD to allow wind projects on these islands to compete against other less established technologies in the future.Alongside the November Budget this year, HM Treasury published the Control for Low Carbon Levies, which provides clarity to industry out to 2025 about future support for low carbon electricity. Estimated Gigawatts of capacity for all technology groups, including onshore wind, supported under the Control up to March 2025 are set out in Table 1.B of the publication that accompanied the Budget.[1]  [1] Available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/660986/Control_for_Low_Carbon_Levies_web.pdf

Renewable Energy

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation of 12 December 2017, Official Report, Column 169-70, what target his Department has set for the proportion of UK energy needs to be delivered from renewable sources by 2030.

Richard Harrington: The UK does not have renewables targets to 2030. The Government has just published its Clean Growth Strategy, which sets out our plans to build on the successful decarbonisation of the power sector, while looking further across the whole of the economy and the country.

North Sea Oil: Pipelines

Martin Whitfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of the Forties oil pipeline have on the communities in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK?

Richard Harrington: The safety of local residents is the primary concern and a small number were placed in temporary accommodation as a precautionary measure.There is no impact on the availability of fuel or gas to communities as a result of the repairs needed to the Forties pipeline. Short-term increases in the wholesale gas price will not have an impact on consumer prices and National Grid will continue to monitor market changes. We have been informed that this will be a short-term disruption and we do not expect the very short-term spike in the price of Brent crude to lead to a significant increase in fuel prices.

North Sea Oil: Pipelines

Martin Whitfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the the suspension of oil from the North Sea as a result of the closure of The Forties pipeline on the supply of oil and fuel in the UK.

Richard Harrington: There is no security of supply issue for oil and fuel supplies as a result of the repairs needed to the Forties pipeline. We have received reassurances from Petroineos Grangemouth refinery, which receives some crude oil direct from the pipeline, that they will be able to continue to provide fuel due to the availability of oil from other sources.

North Sea Oil: Pipelines

Martin Whitfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the closure of the Forties pipeline closure on UK energy security in the next quarter?

Richard Harrington: There is no security of supply issue for fuel or gas supplies as a result of the repairs needed to the Forties pipeline. We have received reassurances from Petroineos Grangemouth refinery that they will be able to continue to provide fuel due to the availability of oil from other sources. Similarly, National Grid has confirmed that the loss of the FPS will not impact on security of supply for gas.

Renewable Energy

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of generation capacity in Gigawatts for (a) large scale onshore wind (England) (b) Small Scale onshore Wind  (England) (c) large scale Solar PV, (d) small scale Solar PV (e) Large Scale Hydro (f) anaerobic digestion (g) Tidal (h) wave up to 2025.

Richard Harrington: The Department’s estimates of generation capacity for these technologies, reflecting committed policies only, were published in Table 1.B of HM Treasury’s ‘Control for Low Carbon Levies’ publication on 22/11/2017.[1] [1] Available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/660986/Control_for_Low_Carbon_Levies_web.pdf

Renewable Energy

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the increase in the  deployment of (a) large scale onshore wind, (b) small scale onshore wind, (c) large scale solar PV, (d) small scale solar PV, (e) large scale hydro, (f) anaerobic digestion, (g) tidal and (h) wave electricity generation capacity in each year from 2018-19 to 2024-5.

Richard Harrington: The Department’s estimates of future deployment of these technologies, reflecting committed policies only, were published in Table 1.B of HM Treasury’s ‘Control for Low Carbon Levies’ publication on 22/11/2017.[1] [1] Available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/660986/Control_for_Low_Carbon_Levies_web.pdf

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Margot James: The Government is committed to supporting working families and will introduce 30 hours of free childcare a week for working families with 3 and 4-year-old children. This builds on other family friendly policies which are already in place including the extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees with 26 weeks qualifying service and the introduction of shared parental leave and pay, which enables working parents to share responsibility for caring for their children in the first year.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to which legislation his Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.

Joseph Johnson: Assessing the impact of the Department’s policies on families is an integral part of policy development in the Department. Although not a statutory requirement, the impact on families is considered as part of the Department’s compliance with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty as specified in the Equality Act 2010.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department (a) has drafted or (b) is drafting a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Margot James: We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. Our Department works closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure that they are informed of our understanding of these issues.

Industrial Design: Intellectual Property

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the UK's ratification of The Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the ability of UK businesses to register their designs internationally.

Joseph Johnson: The Government intends to ratify the Hague Agreement to join the international system in a national capacity, which will ensure UK designers are able to register their designs internationally after the UK leaves the EU.

Local Growth Deals: Belfast

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to advance the Belfast City Deal as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Budget 2017 statement on the 22 November 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Margot James: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out at the Budget that the Government will open negotiations for a City Deal for Belfast, as part our wider commitment to work towards a comprehensive and ambitious set of City Deals across Northern Ireland to boost investment and productivity.This Government believes that local people know what is best for their areas. As such City Deals are locally led. Belfast City Region are currently developing proposals for an ambitious City Deal that drives growth and productivity in the region, which they will share with Government in 2018. I look forward to seeing them.In the meantime, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland remains in close touch with the region. Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government visited Belfast on 7 December to meet leaders from local councils, universities and business to hear how a City Deal that brings together the private and public sectors can help to unlock the huge economic potential of the Belfast City Region.

Environment Protection

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that the devolved administrations' policies and incentives for green finance are all coherent with each other and with those of the Westminster Government, after the UK has left the EU.

Claire Perry: In the formulation of the Clean Growth Strategy (CGS), the devolved administrations were consulted on many of the policies contained within the Strategy. We will continue to work with the devolved administrations as we develop and implement the policies and proposals in the CGS, including green finance.

Chemicals

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the Government will introduce requirements for manufacturers of antifreeze to (a) include a bittering agent in the product and (b) ensure that the product is non-toxic to animals.

Claire Perry: Antifreeze supplied for domestic use is regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. This requires it to be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use when placed on the market. In addition, chemical products including antifreeze are also regulated by European Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures. This aims to protect people and the environment from the effects of hazardous chemicals by requiring suppliers to provide information about the hazards present and to package them safely. There are no plans to regulate to require manufacturers to include a bittering agent, but producers are already able to add a bittering agent on a voluntary basis.

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many people in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry South constituency are employed in the automotive industry.

Claire Perry: In 2016 the Automotive manufacturing industry employed 54,000 in the West Midlands region with 7,000 of these employed in the Coventry South constituency.These figures come from publicly available data collected by the Office for National Statistics’ Business registers and Employment Survey and can be accessed via their NOMIS database - https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

Architecture: Qualifications

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on mutual recognition of architects' professional qualifications, set out in EU Directive 2005/36/EC, after the UK leaves the EU.

Margot James: The Government is working closely with Member States and our partners in the EU institutions to negotiate the best deal for the UK and the EU. It has held discussions with the EU on the future rights of UK nationals and EU27 citizens who currently rely on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC) to have their qualifications recognised after the UK leaves the EU. The results of these discussions are set out in the joint report published by the UK and EU negotiators following Phase 1 of negotiations[1]. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665869/Joint_report_on_progress_during_phase_1_of_negotiations_under_Article_50_TEU_on_the_United_Kingdom_s_orderly_withdrawal_from_the_European_Union.pdf

Wind Power: Wales

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether Welsh onshore wind projects will be eligible to apply for any future Contracts for Difference Pot 1 auction in the same way as Scottish onshore wind projects in the event that a future auction is held.

Richard Harrington: The Contracts for Difference (CFD) scheme is applicable to Great Britain. Onshore wind is an established (Pot 1) technology for the purposes of the CFD scheme. No decisions have been taken on running another allocation round for established technologies.

Wind Power: Mid Wales

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress has been made on determining applications under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 2003 for major wind farms in Mid Wales since 4 October 2016; and if he will make a statement.

Richard Harrington: The Department is currently determining two applications for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for onshore wind farms in mid-Wales – the proposed Carnedd Wen and Llanbrynmair wind farms in Powys. Following the quashing of the previous decisions on those applications in December 2015, my Department has carried out further consultation with developers and other interested parties which ended on 4 October 2016. Since then, the responses to that consultation have been carefully assessed and it is anticipated decisions on both applications will be made shortly.

Wind Power: Subsidies

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to state aid approval to classify remote island wind as a separate technology in Pot 2 of the CfD scheme, whether he will consider other parts of the UK for inclusion in that classification where remoteness and the lack of electricity grid infrastructure or other reasons mean that it is very difficult to develop onshore wind in those areas.

Richard Harrington: The Government proposes to define remote island wind projects as being physically remote and requiring subsea connections from the islands to the Main Interconnected Transmission System. This means that these projects incur unavoidable higher transmission costs, which sets them apart from onshore wind projects located elsewhere in the UK. It is on this basis that the government intends to classify remote island wind as a distinct technology in Pot 2 of the Contracts for Difference scheme. The Government is not proposing to broaden the definition of remote island wind projects in the way that the hon. Member suggests.

Charity Research Support Fund

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timetable is for the implementation of the recommendation of the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy to increase the funding of the Charity Research Support Fund.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the commitment in the Industrial Strategy to increase support for quality-related research through Research England will include increased support for the Charity Research Support Fund.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the flat rate of funding for the Charity Research Support Fund remaining unchanged since 2010 on the UK's life sciences sector.

Joseph Johnson: The Life Sciences Sector Deal demonstrates a joint strategic direction between government and the sector that reflects shared ambition to modernise the industry. The Deal built on the sector-led Life Sciences Industrial Strategy which made a series of recommendations to Government, which marked the start of negotiations for a Sector Deal.The Government recognises the important contribution of charity funded research to the UK Life Sciences sector and the important public benefits arising from this. The charity support element of Quality Related research funding, which is currently provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), recognises this and that charities do not pay full economic costs. Decisions on how much to allocate to charity research support from within their overall research funding is a matter for HEFCE Board (and in future for Research England). HEFCE has maintained the charity research support element of Quality Related (QR) research funding at £198mpa, and as a proportion of total Quality Related (QR) research funding, since 2010-11.The Government has made clear that allocation of the additional £4.7bn funding for R&D announced at Autumn Statement 2016 would reflect our commitment to the “balanced funding principle for dual support”. As part of the process of developing the Industrial Strategy, the CE Designate of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) provided advice to the Secretary of State on allocations across all the constituent Councils of UKRI. Detailed decisions on the allocation of “dual support” funding in England for different elements of Quality Related research and knowledge exchange will be determined by Research England, and will be announced in due course.HEFCE has carefully monitored and assessed the implications of the level of funding allocated through charity research support element of QR, and Research England will continue to do so in future, working closely with the charity funders to demonstrate the value and contribution of this important funding stream.The Government also supports charities through a wide range of other measures including the Gift Aid tax relief, which allows charities to reclaim the income tax paid on their donations and direct them towards their strategic priorities, including funding research.

Ministry of Defence

National Security

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans a public consultation on the defence aspects of the National Security and Capability review.

Gavin Williamson: The National Security Capability Review is a cross-Government exercise being led by the National Security Adviser. Whether, when, or to what extent this work is made public will be determined in due course.

Ministry of Defence: Procurement

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what effect the decrease in the value of sterling has had on his Department's procurement programme

Harriett Baldwin: The Department addresses the impact of variations in foreign exchange rates as part of the routine financial management of the Defence Programme. This includes the forward purchase of foreign currency at agreed prices using the services provided by the Bank of England. The actual impact will only be known at the time the relevant financial transactions take place.

Ministry of Defence: Defence Equipment

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the value of his Department's inventory; and what proportion of that inventory is military equipment which is no longer in use.

Harriett Baldwin: The value of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) inventory is shown in the Annual Report and Accounts, which is published on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2016-to-2017. When inventory is no longer in use and surplus to requirement, it may be passed to the Defence Equipment Sales Authority:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-equipment-sales-authority.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the remit of the assessment phase of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme is.

Harriett Baldwin: The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle assessment phase will confirm the capability requirement, optimum fleet mix and delivery sequence for the Army's new strike brigades.

Armed Forces: Housing

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, of the 106 service family accommodation properties, how many are currently allocated to people who are not civil servants or reservists and to whom those properties are allocated.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: None of the 106 Service Family Accommodation properties referred to are allocated to people who are not civil servants or reservists. The properties are let on a civilian 'license' and are therefore let exclusively to either civil servants or reservists.

Navy: Training

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many men (a) applied for, (b) were accepted on and (c) completed the Initial Naval Training (Officer) course at Britannia Royal Naval College for each course since the start of 2015.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The following table provides the number of male officer applicants for Financial Years (FY) from 1 Jan 2015 to 2016-17: FY1 January - 31 March 20152015-162016-17Number of applicants7922,9002,897Source: Captain Naval RecruitingNotes:1. These figures do not include in-Service applicants to the Upper Yardsman and Senior Upper Yardsman schemes, who may have gone on to be successful at Admiralty Interview Board and completed elements of the Initial Naval Training (Officer) course at Britannia Royal Naval College. The following table provides the number of men who were accepted on (via the Admiralty Interview Board) and completed the Initial Naval Training (Officer) course at Britannia Royal Naval College for each course since the start of 2015: Course commencement dateSuccessful at Admiralty Interview BoardCompleted Initial Naval Training (Officer) CourseFebruary 20156560May 20158070September 2015115100January 201610595May 20168075September 2016115110January 20179590May 20179590September 2017125120Total875815Sources: Captain Naval Recruiting, Navy Training HeadquartersNotes:1. The volume of those successful at Admiralty Interview Board reflects the yearly branch and specialisation requirement that is managed throughout the year.3. Data have been rounded in line with disclosure control policy.4. The total may not equal the sum of its parts due to rounding.

Ministry of Defence: Christmas

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which hon. Members attended his Christmas drinks reception at his Department; and what the cost was to the public purse of that event.

Gavin Williamson: No accurate record was made of who attended the Christmas drinks reception. There was no cost to the public purse.

Warships

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Royal Naval vessels are (a) Fleet Ready vessels, (b) Atlantic Patrol Tasking North and South, (c) Gibraltar Squadron d) Operations East of Suez and (e) supporting EU and NATO counter-migration operations in the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea?

Mark Lancaster: There is always one Royal Navy ship that is designated as the Fleet Ready Escort (FRE), although there are always a number of Royal Navy units available in UK waters that could conduct this role depending on the tasking. As of 1 December 2017 the designated FRE ship was HMS WESTMINSTER.The Atlantic Patrol Tasking North is being conducted by RFA MOUNTS BAY, with HMS CLYDE and HMS PROTECTOR operating in the South Atlantic area. The Gibraltar squadron consists of HMS SCIMITAR and HMS SABRE. HMS MIDDLETON, HMS LEDBURY, HMS BLYTH, HMS BANGOR, RFA CARDIGAN BAY and RFA FORT ROSALIE are on operations east of Suez. HMS ECHO is supporting EU counter-migration operations and HMS ENTERPRISE and HMS OCEAN are commanding NATO maritime groups in the Mediterranean.

Rivet Joint Aircraft

Martin Docherty-Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has for future basing options for the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft.

Harriett Baldwin: There are no plans to move the UK Airseeker Rivet Joint Force from RAF Waddington.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Local Government: Accountability

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities were in breach of the local government transparency code in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017 to date.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government does not hold this information as local authorities were not required to report that they were compliant with the code. We are considering what further steps might be necessary to ensure compliance, given the Government’s desire to place more power and information into citizens’ hands so that democratic accountability is increased.

Local Growth Deals

Chris Ruane: To ask The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost of funding-per-capita of each city deal in England and Wales.

Jake Berry: Across Government we are making huge strides towards rebalancing the economy and empowering local government. We have agreed devolution deals with nine areas across England, with a directly elected mayor in place in six of those already. We have also agreed City Region deals with Cardiff and Swansea regions in Wales. These deals are about much more than just funding. They are about strengthening local leadership and giving local communities greater control over the decisions that affect them. However we have invested to support these deals. In English devolution deals we have given areas control over new long term investment funds. In Welsh City Deals we have invested in proposals to support key sectors and drive growth in the local economy.As I’m sure the Hon Member knows, the Chancellor of the Exchequer also announced at Autumn Budget 2017 that Government will begin formal negotiations towards a North Wales growth deal.Devolution deal announcements can be found in the following links:West Midlands: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/west-midlands-devolution-dealGreater Manchester: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/devolution-to-the-greater-manchester-combined-authority-and-transition-to-a-directly-elected-mayorLiverpool: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/liverpool-devolution-dealSheffield City Region: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/466616/Sheffield_devolution_deal_October_2015_with_signatures.pdfTees Valley: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tees-valley-devolution-dealWest of England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/west-of-england-devolution-dealPeterborough and Cambridgeshire: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-devolution-dealCardiff Capital Region: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/city-deal-cardiff-capital-regionSwansea Bay Region: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/611685/Swansea_City_Deal_-_English.pdfI refer the Hon Member to the ONS link below for further information on population figures:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland

Local Government: Pension Funds

Neil O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local government pension funds can invest in areas such as new build shared ownership.

Alok Sharma: Under the Investment Regulations 2016, administering authorities in the Local Government Pension Scheme are no longer constrained by central prescription on how their assets are invested provided investments are in the best interests of scheme members. They now have much greater freedom to invest, subject to local democratic control and appropriate safeguards, and significant investment in new housing has already been made.Our Housing White Paper encourages further investment more widely in housing, including shared ownership, through creating a stable financial environment in which to invest.As a result, pension schemes are increasingly regarding housing as an appropriate investment. The pooling of local government pension funds will increase opportunities for their assets to be used to support infrastructure projects, including housing. This could generate promising returns for scheme members while maintaining value for money for national and local taxpayers.

Revenue Support Grant

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and which local authorities he estimates will receive a negative revenue support grant in the financial year 2018-19.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 18 December 2017



No local authorities will be affected by negative revenue support grant (nRSG) in the financial year 2018-19. Additional resources have been allocated to eliminate nRSG in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Mental Health Services: Refugees

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authority provision of mental health services for child refugees.

Mr Marcus Jones: Health services are the responsibility of the Department of Health. Child refugees are entitled to the same rights as other looked-after children and young people, including access to National Health Service (NHS) mental health services. The NHS actively seeks to meet the unique needs of a wide range of vulnerable groups, including asylum seekers of all ages, and local NHS services have legal duties to meet the varied needs of their population. Access to Mental Health services is based on clinical need. To improve the offer to all children, the Government published The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper on 4 December. This sets out an ambitious set of proposals to transform support for children and young people’s mental health generally.Refugee resettlement programmes can also provide an avenue towards mental healthcare. Under resettlement programmes, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Local Health Boards can claim a per capita amount for primary and secondary healthcare costs – including mental health costs – for refugees they support. If per capita costs are exhausted, CCGs and Local Health Boards can claim additional funding for secondary healthcare costs identified during the first 12 months of a refugee's arrival. Funding decisions do not rest with the Department for Communities and Local Government but with the Home Office, which is accountable for the Resettlement Programme.Local authorities have been invited to bid for funds to assist their capacity to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) through the Controlling Migration Fund. The Department for Communities and Local Government manages part of this fund, and bids have included interventions to support UASC mental health. The bidding opportunity has closed and we will be announcing the results of this programme early in the New Year.

Housing: Construction

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to Autumn Budget 2017, how the announced £8 billion of new guarantees to support house building will operate in practice.

Alok Sharma: The Government has provided debt guarantees to support the provision of affordable and privately rented homes since 2013. The existing guarantee schemes have supported the delivery of over 42,000 homes.The further £8 billion guarantee capacity will ensure that the housing sector continues to be able to the access debt markets once the existing guarantee schemes have expired.We will engage the market over the coming months as to the most effective way of deploying this new guarantee capacity.

Housing: Construction

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce a right to bid for assets held by local authorities to release land for housing.

Alok Sharma: Holding answer received on 13 December 2017



The Right to Contest already provides a mechanism by which local people can challenge public bodies, including local councils, to release unused and underused land for housing.The Government has no current plans to change this approach but would give consideration to any specific proposals which come forward.

Aviation: Planning

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to introduce sector-led planning guidance for general aviation airfields; and if he will make a statement.

Alok Sharma: The Government’s planning policy for airfields is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. This is supported by our planning practice guidance on 'Transport evidence bases in plan-making and decision taking’, which makes clear to local authorities that they should consider the interconnectivity between airfields of different sizes and that they should have regard to the Aviation Policy Framework.

Housing Revenue Accounts

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to Autumn Budget 2017, (a) how and (b) when local authorities will be able to increase their Housing Revenue Account borrowing caps.

Alok Sharma: At Autumn Budget 2017 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that we will raise the Housing Revenue Account borrowing caps by a total of up to £1 billion. This will apply to in areas of high affordability pressure with local authorities that are ready to start building new homes. Local authorities will be able to bid for increases in their caps from 2019/20 up to a total of £1 billion by the end of 2021/22. We will set out more details shortly.

Housing: Energy

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, for which of the policies and proposals on pages 77 to 82 of the Clean Growth Strategy his Department has lead responsibility.

Alok Sharma: The table at Annex B (pages 131 to 136) of the Clean Growth Strategy sets out the lead Departments for all the policies, proposals and actions the Government is committing to in the Strategy, including DCLG. The Strategy can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy

Building Regulations and Fire Safety Independent Review

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will place a copy of the interim report of the Hackitt review of building regulations and fire safety in the Library; and on what date he the final report will be published.

Alok Sharma: The Interim Report of Dame Judith Hackitt's review into Building Regulations and Fire Safety was laid in Parliament on 18 December. Dame Judith's Final Report is expected to be published in Spring 2018.

Non-domestic Rates: Liverpool City Region

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to point 51 of the Liverpool City Region Devolution agreement, what progress his Department has made on giving the Liverpool City Region Mayor the power to place a supplement on business rates to fund infrastructure, with the agreement of the local business community through the Local Enterprise Partnership; and what timescale he has set for giving that power?

Jake Berry: Government is committed to ensuring that the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has the appropriate powers to help promote local growth, and we are considering the most effective way to deliver those powers.

Rough Sleeping

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on winter deaths associated with rough sleeping.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 18 December 2017



No one should ever have to sleep rough. That is why Government has committed to halving rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminating it altogether by 2027. We have announced a new Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Reduction Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary of State, which will drive forward the implementation of a cross-Government strategy to tackle this issue.We have allocated over £1 billion through to 2020 to prevent and reduce all forms of homelessness reduction including piloting a Housing First approach for some of the most entrenched rough sleepers.We expect local authorities to work closely with the voluntary sector to provide basic emergency accommodation to minimise the risk of harm to individuals when the temperature drops.Our new Homelessness Advice and Support Team, drawn from local authorities and the homelessness sector, are providing targeted challenge and support to help local authorities to improve their response to homelessness, including on cold weather provision for rough sleepers.In certain cases where a rough sleeper dies on the streets, local authorities can commission a Safeguarding Adults Review. This process is carried out to consider what agencies and individuals could have done differently to prevent harm or death.

Social Rented Housing: Rents

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the timetable is for a direction to be given to the Social Housing Regulator to limit rent increases to CPI + 1 for five years from 2020.

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to start the consultation on his proposals to limit increases for social rents to CPI + 1 for five years from 2020.

Alok Sharma: The Government has announced plans to set a long term rent deal for housing associations and councils. Under the proposal announced in October, annual social rent increases will be limited to CPI+1 per cent for 5 years from 2020. This will be reflected in a draft direction from the Secretary of State to the Social Housing Regulator, which the Government will consult on in 2018 with a view to issuing the direction before the end of 2018.

Compulsory Purchase

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions he has used the powers in section 21(1)(a) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to direct development on individual sites.

Alok Sharma: The Secretary of State has never used his powers to intervene in the preparation of local plans under Section 21(1)(a) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Council Tax

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what is the maximum proportion by which an Alternative Notional Amount of council tax set by his Department to facilitate harmonisation of council tax necessitated by local government reorganisation can exceed the actual council tax in any given year.

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what is the most recent advice which his Department has given to local authorities in Dorset about the maximum permissible period for harmonisation of council taxes in the event of local government reorganisation.

Jake Berry: In November, in response to a request from Dorset councils, the Department advised that it is for those implementing any unitary proposal to put to the Secretary of State their proposals for council tax equalisation.Having regard to those proposals and to such other factors as he considers appropriate, the Secretary of State will make provision in the necessary secondary legislation specifying the maximum period for equalisation.Those other factors include the need to strike a balance between ensuring that council taxpayers do not experience a large increase in bills and not allowing residents in one predecessor area to become concerned that they are effectively contributing more to the cost of services than others in the area.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Written Statement of 7 November 2017, on local government improvement, HCWS232, what steps organisations and people can take who want to make further representations on the issue of whether local government will be improved across the area can take in the absence of up-to-date cost benefit analyses or business plans from those who have submitted those proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Jake Berry: It is for those considering making representations to decide what steps to take, to enable them to formulate any representations they are minded to make.

Local Government: Dorset

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what financial information other than that set out in the financial report which formed part of the Future Dorset submission report of 24 August 2016 has been submitted as evidence that the proposal which he is minded to implement will give greater value for money, yield cost savings and improve local government across the area.

Jake Berry: The financial information submitted as part of the Future Dorset submission also includes the report of December 2016, and further financial information may be submitted or made publicly available during the current representation period by the Dorset councils, or by others.

HM Treasury

Children: Day Care

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that no parents, particularly those on low incomes, will receive less financial support with tax-free childcare than they would with childcare vouchers.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government is committed to supporting working families with the cost of childcare. We are doubling the free childcare available to working parents of 3&4 year olds to 30 hours a week, saving them around £5,000 a year per child. In 2019/20 we will be spending around £6bn on childcare support – a record amount.Childcare vouchers are only offered by a minority of employers and are unavailable to self-employed parents, or those who do not earn enough to participate in salary sacrifice schemes. Tax-Free Childcare is designed to be fairer and better targeted. It will have a far wider reach than vouchers and is expected to benefit over 1 million working households. The minimum income level of just over £120 a week will support those parents earning the National Living Wage who are unable to use childcare vouchers. Under Tax Free Childcare many self-employed parents can get help with childcare costs for the first time. Parents currently using vouchers will be able to continue using them, if they prefer, while they continue to work for the same employer and that employer continues to offer them.

Minimum Wage: Arrears

Caroline Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of the 260 employers named by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for non-compliance with the national minimum wage on 8 December 2017 identified further arrears, not included in the sum of arrears for which they were named, under the self-correction mechanism introduced by HM Revenue and Customs in 2015; what the combined total was of such further, self-corrected arrears; and to how many workers such arrears were owed.

Mel Stride: The government are determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum and National Living Wage (NMW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. HMRC review all complaints that are referred to them. Of the 260 employers named on 8 December 2017, 39 employers were instructed to self-correct further arrears. The further arrears identified came to a total of £1,011,190 which was owed to 21,495 workers. HMRC always takes action to ensure workers receive what they are entitled to, and has robust assurance processes in place to make sure that all employers fully repay their workers. If HMRC believes that the employer has not self-corrected completely, or becomes aware of another NMW risk, the employer will be investigated again.

Revenue and Customs: Personal Records

Peter Grant: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have their records with HM Revenue and Customs recorded clerically; and what procedures are in place for such clerical cases to be moved to newer computer systems.

Mel Stride: All HMRC customers have computerised records and most can access their records digitally using their Personal Tax Account or Business Tax Accounts. Over 3 million businesses have used their Business Tax Accounts in the past 12 months; and 13.7 million customers use their Personal Tax Accounts.

Bank Services: Rural Areas

Ian Blackford: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his policy to introduce legislative proposals to establish a guaranteed minimum level of service by high-street banks in rural areas.

Ian Blackford: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on local communities of the bank branch closures in Scotland recently announced by Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group.

Ian Blackford: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last had discussions with the Scottish Government on the effect on local communities of the bank branch closures in Scotland recently announced by Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group.

Neil Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on small businesses of the bank branch closures recently announced by Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group in Scotland.

Neil Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last discussed with the Scottish Government the effect on small businesses of the bank branch closures recently announced by (a) Royal Bank of Scotland and (b) Lloyds Banking Group in Scotland.

Stephen Barclay: I discussed RBS Group’s recent branch closure announcement with the Scottish Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy on 4 December. The Government is committed to improving access to financial services. While the decision to close a branch remains a commercial judgement for banks, the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible. The industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board. 99% of banks’ personal and 95% of banks’ business customers are now able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. At Autumn Budget 2017, I wrote to the Post Office and UK Finance to ask them to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs. Government will have provided nearly £2 billion during the period 2011 to 2018 to maintain and modernise the Post Office network.

Barclays and HSBC

Peter Dowd: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have met representatives of (i) HSBC and (ii) Barclays since July 2016.

Stephen Barclay: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

Transport: North of England

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his letter sent to all hon. Members regarding the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline on 12 December 2017, if he will publish a breakdown of the overall planned transport spending per head figure of £1,039 per head for the three Northern regions.

Andrew Jones: The breakdown of central government transport investment per person in each English region between 2017/18 and 2020/21 was published on 6 December, in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s Analysis of the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline. The figures for each Northern region can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-infrastructure-and-construction-pipeline-2017

Transport: Capital Investment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Analysis of the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, on 6 December 2017, what the individual planned projects contributing to central Government transport capital spending in the pipeline between 2017-18 and 2020-21 in the North East region are.

Andrew Jones: Central government transport projects, programmes and other investments that fall within each English region are included in the 2017 National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline. A list of those allocated to the North East is attached. Analysis of investment in all regions includes an apportioned share of spending on nationally-managed projects and programmes. The methodology for this is set out in Annex B of the pipeline analysis document. The pipeline and analysis are published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-infrastructure-and-construction-pipeline-2017.



Regional transport list
(Word Document, 17.26 KB)

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to publish the number of (a) disabled and (b) non-disabled children who have a tax-free childcare account which has been used, set out by age.

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many childcare settings are receiving payments from tax-free childcare accounts.

Elizabeth Truss: Over 50,000 childcare providers (around 50% of all regulated providers) have successfully signed-up to receive payments through the Tax-Free Childcare scheme. We will publish more information about Tax-Free Childcare, when it is fully rolled-out in Spring 2018.

Treasury: Brexit

Hilary Benn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Stephen Barclay: I refer the Rt hon Member to my answer to the Rt Hon Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms) on 12 December to UIN 118169.

Tax Evasion

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the change in levels of tax evasion in the last 10 years.

Mel Stride: The latest available estimates of the amount of money the Exchequer loses to tax evasion over the last five years (the latest year being 2015-16) are published annually in the Chapter 1 of the ‘Measuring tax gaps’ publication, in Table 1.5.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps Further ‘Measuring tax gaps’ online tables are published giving the estimate of money and the percentage of total theoretical liabilities lost to tax evasion since 2009-10.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps-tables There is no comparable data for years prior to 2009-10.

Trade: Northern Ireland

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of Northern Ireland's GDP that was produced by trade (a) within Northern Ireland, (b) with the rest of the UK and (c) with the Republic of Ireland in each of the last three years.

Stephen Barclay: The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency produce an annual measure of local businesses’ sales to markets outside Northern Ireland, which is designated as an experimental statistic. Total sales by companies in Northern Ireland were estimated to be worth £68.9 billion in 2016. Sales within Northern Ireland were £44.7 billion in 2016, while sales to the rest of the UK were £14.0 billion. Exports to the Republic of Ireland were worth £3.4 billion.

Concentrix: Compensation

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2017 to Question 113211, for what reason the total figure for compensation payments differs from the total figure in National Audit Office report on the Concentrix Contract published in January 2017.

Mel Stride: The answer provided to Question 113211 included payments for costs, actual financial loss or reimbursement as at 15 November 2017. The payments in the National Audit Office report were up to and including 14 December 2016.

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117618, on Iron and Steel: China, what recent discussions he has had with trade unions on (a) trade remedies to be adopted by the UK after leaving the EU and (b) future free trade deals.

Greg Hands: Department for International Trade indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Trade: Statutory Instruments

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to seek to establish a sifting committee to consider statutory instruments created under legislation introduced by his Department.

Greg Hands: Department for International Trade indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Women and Equalities

Gender Recognition Act 2004

Catherine West: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether her Department plans to consult (a) Women's refuges (b) women's rights charities and (c) trans rights charities ahead of bringing forward legislative proposals to reform the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

Anne Milton: The government is aiming to carry out a consultation on the Gender Recognition Act to look at making the process of legally changing gender less bureaucratic and intrusive for transgender people.Ahead of the consultation launch, we have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, including women’s refuges, women’s rights charities and trans rights charities to help inform the development of the consultation document.We will also encourage women’s refuges, women’s rights charities and trans rights charities to respond to the consultation when it is launched.

Department for Transport

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Road Traffic

Sir Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans take to reduce travel disruption caused by slow traffic through and around the Dartford Tunnel.

Jesse Norman: In April, the Government committed £10 million to improve the traffic flow at and around the Dartford crossing. This was as part of the preferred route announcement for the new Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) which will help reduce demand at the Dartford Crossing, while also improving links to London and the south coast. Alongside this, a Dartford - Thurrock study will identify ideas to reduce congestion that could be delivered in advance of the construction of the LTC. In addition, improvement work to M25 Junction 2 is due to start in Spring 2018 to help reduce congestion south of the Dartford crossing.

South Eastern Rail Franchise

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 35 of the paper, South East Rail Franchise Stakeholder Document what proportion  of people from the Metro area (a) opposed reducing the choice of London destinations (b) wanted to retain services to (i) Charing Cross, (ii) Cannon Street and (iii) Victoria; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Maynard: The Invitation to Tender (ITT) sets out the minimum requirements of the next franchise. The priority of the ITT is to improve the reliability of services across the network including the Metro area. 93.6% of people in the Metro area (who responded to the consultation and also provided their postcode) were opposed or strongly opposed to reducing the choice of central London destinations from individual stations to enable the simplicity of a regular service to a single London terminal throughout the day to benefit both regular and occasional passengers. CategoryMetro OnlyStrongly Oppose88.5%Oppose5.1%Neutral2.3%Support1.9%Strongly Support1.1%-1.1%  Respondents with postcodes7,212% of total67.8% Since the consultation did not ask which terminals respondents wished to retain services to, we are unable to state what proportion of respondents wished to maintain services to each specific London terminal.

Motorways: Road Signs and Markings

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many smart signs have been, or are in the process of being, installed on which motorways; and what the cost to the public purse of the smart sign programme has been to date.

Jesse Norman: We have interpreted ‘smart signs’ to be electronic variable speed limit signs and the large variable message signs mounted on overhead gantries or on the verge for displaying information to drivers on smart motorways. By the end of the 2017/18 financial year Highways England will have installed 458 smart signs across smart motorway schemes on the M1 junctions 19-16, M5 Junctions 4a – 6, M3 Junctions 2-4 and M60 Junction 8 – M62 Junction 20 at an estimated cost of £65.5m.For schemes currently in construction on the M4 Junctions 3-12, M6 Junctions 16-19, M1 Junctions 23a-25, M60 Junctions 8-18 and M62 Junctions 18-20, Highways England plan to install a further 797 smart signs at a further estimated cost of £101.86m.

DVLA: Disclosure of Information

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will review the fee for third parties seeking to access DVLA driver records to ensure that it strikes the right balance between providing easy access to data and ensuring value for money for the Government.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) keeps the fees it charges for data release under regular review. The charges levied are intended to recover the full cost of providing the information, so that the DVLA neither profits at the expense of customers nor makes a loss for taxpayers to subsidise. This is in line with HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money guidance. Over time, the costs of individual DVLA services can slightly increase or decrease, depending in part on the volume of requests, leading to a small surplus or deficit in the short term.

Railways: Electrification

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what cost-benefit analysis his Department carries out prior to making a decision on whether to electrify rail lines.

Paul Maynard: The Department for Transport undertakes Cost-Benefit Analysis, using the guidance set out in WebTAG (available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-analysis-guidance-webtag), to inform enhancement decisions. This analysis considers the impacts of alternative options to deliver a stated objective, and attempts to quantify them where possible. These impacts include the infrastructure costs of the scheme and the ongoing financial impacts for railway services, as well as the social impacts of the scheme for train users and other affected parties (such as road users and local residents). Wider economic impacts (such as making it easier for people to access more productive jobs) are also considered, where appropriate.

Great Western Main Line: Electrification

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what costs has Network Rail incurred to date as a result of Bechtel’s decision to withdraw from the contract to electrify the Great Western Main Line between Bristol and Cardiff.

Paul Maynard: Bechtel are completing their contract with Network Rail for the Great Western Main Line. This contract will come to a natural end upon completion of their contract. There are, therefore, no additional costs being incurred.

Railways: Per Capita Costs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the mean average cost of rail travel per mile to consumers by each train operator in each year for which data is available.

Paul Maynard: The Office of Rail and Road provide information for ‘passenger income per passenger km’ by train operator in their annual publication of UK Rail Industry Financial Information. Passenger income refers to income received by train operators from passenger fares. The figures have been converted to show the average yield on a ‘per passenger mile’ basis and presented in the table below from 2011-12 up to 2015-16, for which the latest data are available.  Passenger income per passenger mile (£) by franchise; Great Britain  2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16Essex Thameside0.210.210.220.220.23Chiltern0.190.210.210.220.22Cross Country0.190.210.210.220.23East Coast0.190.200.200.210.21East Midlands0.210.220.230.240.24East Anglia20.220.230.230.240.24Greater Western0.200.210.220.240.25Northern0.150.170.170.170.18South Eastern0.230.240.250.260.26Southern10.220.230.240.25..South Western0.220.230.240.250.25Thameslink Great Northern10.220.230.230.25..Thameslink Southern & Great Northern1........0.25Trans Pennine Express0.170.180.180.180.19Wales & Borders0.150.160.170.160.18West Coast0.220.230.230.230.23West Midlands0.170.180.190.190.20London Overground0.230.260.290.300.28TFL Rail2........0.22Merseyrail Electrics0.110.120.120.120.12ScotRail0.170.180.180.180.18Caledonian Sleeper3........0.19GB total0.200.210.220.230.23 Notes1. Southern merged with the Thameslink and Great Northern franchise in July 2015 to become Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern.2. TfL Rail began operating in May 2015 and took over Greater Anglia services from Shenfield to London Liverpool Street.3. Caledonian Sleeper began operating as a standalone franchise from 31 March 2015, having previously been part of the ScotRail franchise.

Railway Stations: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport,what steps he is taking to increase the number of accessible stations in the West Midlands.

Paul Maynard: We are committed to improving station accessibility and have continued with the Access for All programme which has delivered more than 160 accessible routes at stations. We will be making further funding available in the next Rail Control Period (2019-24) and stations across the West Midlands will be eligible. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. In addition, whenever the industry installs, replaces or renews station infrastructure it must meet current accessibility standards.

Transport: Coventry

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the per capita spending from the public purse on transport projects in Coventry in each of the last three years.

Jesse Norman: Figures on public sector spend per head of population are available at a regional level as part of the Government’s Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) statistics. This information is published for Government office regions only, and therefore is unavailable for Coventry.

Apprentices: Travel

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on subsidising transport for apprentices; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The Government is clear that it does not want the costs of travel to deter young people from undertaking an apprenticeship. The Department for Transport has started to explore options for bus travel concessions for apprentices, and is looking to gather more evidence on the practicability of a number of options. The Department will set out more information on this work in the New Year. The rail industry has begun a trial of a railcard for people aged 26-30 in the Greater Anglia area. The industry has also announced that a railcard for 16-18 year olds will be trialled from spring 2018. The Department is taking a close interest in the trial and looks forward to learning more about the industry’s plans.

Travel: Concessions

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 November 2017 to Question 110158 on Travel: Concessions, what the timetable is for his Department to respond to the consultation on a draft Accessibility Action Plan.

Paul Maynard: We plan to publish the Government response in early 2018, following careful analysis of the consultation responses received. The revised Accessibility Action Plan will be published in the summer.

Aviation: Young People

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to encourage youth participation in the general aviation sector; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to promote apprenticeships and other general aviation-related training initiatives as part of the 2018 Year of Engineering campaign.

Mr John Hayes: The Government recognises the importance of the UK’s General Aviation sector and announced in October that we will be appointing a General Aviation Champion. This Champion will be tasked with engaging with the sector, developing a thorough understanding of the relevant issues, and championing the role that it plays in the economy and society, including by encouraging youth participation. We are also actively exploring the topic of skills in consultation with industry and the General Aviation sector within our Aviation Strategy.The Year of Engineering aims to showcase and celebrate the contribution that engineering makes to today’s world by developing and promoting direct and inspiring experiences of modern engineering throughout 2018. A number of aviation companies have already signed up as Year of Engineering partners to share what they do and I would encourage more to follow and help us reach the target of a million direct experiences for young people, their families and teachers.

Network Rail: Retail Trade

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much profit was made by the Network Rail Commercial Estate in each year since 2010.

Paul Maynard: The Management Accounting profit for the Network Rail Commercial Estate for each year since 2010 is set out in the below table. £'k2009/102010/112011/122012/132013/142014/152015/162016/17Management Accounting Profit after Sales60,49659,70458,71961,74864,40559,90272,03971,795

Shipping: Minimum Wage

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who in the Government will be responsible for considering the recommendations made by the Legal Working Group on Seafarers and the National Minimum Wage.

Mr John Hayes: The recommendations will be considered by myself and I will consult separately with Ministerial colleagues who also have an interest.

Aviation: Crew

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of professional pilots the UK aviation industry will need by 2030; and what steps he is taking to meet that demand.

Mr John Hayes: Requirements for the recruitment and employment of pilots is for industry to determine against their business models and market needs. The Department of Transport works closely with the aviation industry to ensure it continues to be a major, economic success story for Britain. This includes on issues such as skills and employment, which are topics we are actively exploring as part of our developing Aviation Strategy. Investment in apprenticeships is one way to insure against a future STEM shortage. The aviation industry has taken the opportunity provided by the introduction of the apprenticeship levy to work together to develop more apprenticeship standards. The Year of Engineering aims to showcase and celebrate the contribution that engineering makes to today’s world by developing and promoting direct and inspiring experiences of modern engineering throughout 2018. A number of aviation companies have already signed up as Year of Engineering partners to share what they do and I would encourage more to follow and help us reach the target of a million direct experiences for young people, their families and teachers.

Virgin Trains: Industrial Disputes

Lucy Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings his Department has had with representatives of the RMT and TSSA on strike action on Virgin Trains West Coast services scheduled for December 2017 and January 2018.

Paul Maynard: The Department for Transport has not met with trade union officials to discuss strike action on Virgin Trains West Coast services in respect of services in December 2017 and January 2018. This dispute is between the unions and the train operator, however the Government has been doing all it can to ensure passenger disruption is minimised.

Biofuels

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2017 to Question 117579 on Biofuels, what the timetable is for the working party to (a) consider and (b) come to a decision on the implementation of the recommendations of the report entitled Petrol Successfully Deploying E10.

Jesse Norman: The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership’s report “Successfully Deploying E10 Petrol” published in September 2017 recommended increasing the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation which will encourage the increased deployment of low carbon fuels including E10. Subject to Parliamentary approval, we plan to increase the obligation on fuel suppliers from April 2018. The working group is considering other recommendations from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership report in tandem with preparations to introduce new fuel labelling requirements for all road fuels by October 2018. The group is focussed on ensuring that there is clear consumer advice, including on vehicle compatibility for E10 fuel, ahead of the introduction of the new labels. This should help enable a smooth introduction of E10 should commercial fuel retailers choose to supply it.

Aviation: Crew

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to challenge European Aviation Safety Agency regulations that prevent the Civil Aviation Authority from granting medical certificates to allow HIV positive individuals to become commercial airline pilots.

Mr John Hayes: The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) support a rule change in granting medical certificates to allow individuals with HIV to become commercial airline pilots, where this is supported by evidence-based medical research. The Chief Executive of CAA has written to the Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency, asking them to commission the necessary research without delay. The CAA has already been working with, and is seeking advice from, HIV experts including the British HIV Association, to further its understanding and gather the necessary information, which could enable a change in the rules.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Jerusalem

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the US Administration on its decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign Secretary has discussed the issue with the US Secretary of State Tillerson, most recently on 5 December. The Prime Minister set out the UK's position on the US decision in her statement of 6 December.

Iran: Britich Nationals Abroad

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2017 to Question to 113671, on what date his Department plans to publish the prisoner pack for Iran on gov.uk.

Alistair Burt: Holding answer received on 18 December 2017



​Our Embassy in Iran made an online copy of the prisoner pack available on their gov.uk website on 14th December.

New Zealand: Foreign Relations

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met his New Zealand counterpart; and what issues were discussed at that meeting.

Mark Field: The Foreign Secretary has not had the pleasure of meeting Rt Hon Winston Peters since he took office as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of New Zealand on 26 October 2017, but called him on 1 November to discuss important areas of cooperation including DPRK, Burma, the Commonwealth Summit, and trade. I met ​with Mr Peters' Deputy at the November ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting and look forward to strengthening our relationship and visiting New Zealand in the coming year.

INF Treaty

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the status of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty; and what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the US Administration and the Russian Government on that treaty.

Sir Alan Duncan: For 30 years, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has made a valuable contribution to Euro-Atlantic security. By removing an entire class of US and Russian weapons – ground-launched intermediate range missiles – the Treaty has supported strategic stability. NATO Allies have discussed the Treaty on a number of occasions, including at the most recent meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in November. We are aware of a Russian missile system that gives serious cause for concern and urge Russia to address concerns in a substantial and transparent way, through constructive dialogue and engagement.

Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what international partners and organisations the Government works with to help tackle weapons proliferation.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​The Government works with a wide range of international partners and organisations to address the proliferation of conventional weapons, nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and their means of delivery. We work with almost all states around the world, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to support the implementation of non-proliferation treaties, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, and the Arms Trade Treaty. We work with key global institutions to counter weapons proliferation, including the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and the Conference on Disarmament. The Government seeks to strengthen and harmonise strategic export controls through groups such as the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement. The Government also works with academic and non-governmental organisations to support these international activities.

Christianity

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations at the UN on the recent increase in the persecution of Christians worldwide.

Mark Field: The Government remains concerned about the persecution of Christians and other individuals worldwide and continues to promote Freedom of Religion or Belief including through the United Nations. We recently worked with international partners to sustain consensus on the adoption and implementation of the European Union-sponsored Resolution on 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation-sponsored Resolution on 'Combating Religious Intolerance'. In his statement in September, at the UN Human Rights Council, Lord Ahmad reiterated the importance of working together towards the full realisation of Freedom of Religion or Belief for all individuals worldwide. We also strongly support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Dr Ahmed Shaheed.

Nuclear Disarmament

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made on the UN-mandated Open Ended Working Group to develop proposals to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Open Ended Working Group on nuclear disarmament concluded in August 2016 with a report which was followed by a resolution at the UN General Assembly later that year mandating the start of negotiations on a nuclear weapons ban treaty. These negotiations concluded in July 2017 with the adoption of such a treaty. To date, fifty six states have signed the treaty, and three have deposited their instrument of ratification with the UN. We have made it clear, along with NATO allies, that we will not sign it as we do not believe it will bring us closer to a world without nuclear weapons.

British Overseas Territories: Marine Protected Areas

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of enforcement against illegal fishing in Marine Protected Areas around the UK Overseas Territories; and what action is taken when UK Overseas Territories report illegal fishing in Marine Protected Areas.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

British Overseas Territories: Marine Protected Areas

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much the Government plans to pay out to UK Overseas Territories to design, monitor and manage marine protected areas over the course of this Parliament.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​Funding for the Blue Belt programme is provided through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. The budget for Financial Year 16/17 is £4.8m.In Financial Year 2015-16, up to £20 million was committed to 2020. Funding for future years is yet to be agreed.

Pitcairn Islands: Marine Protected Areas

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the success of the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve in enhancing and protecting marine life; and how many enforcement actions have been taken against illegal fishing in the reserve since its designation.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​The Pitcairn Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA) was declared in September 2016. This MPA prohibits all commercial fishing. The MPA is being actively monitored by satellite surveillance, remote sensing technology, and aerial patrol. There is good evidence that the MPA is being largely respected by local fishing fleets.

Egypt: Religious Freedom

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Egyptian counterpart on encouraging (a) the re-opening of churches and (b) freedom of religious expression in that country.

Alistair Burt: We condemn all discrimination against religious minorities and constraints on their freedom to practise their faith. The Egyptian constitution contains protections for Freedom of Religious Belief and it is important that these rights are respected.We regularly raise our concerns around the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, which are essential to improving the protection of Freedom of Religious Belief in Egypt, and we will continue to do so.We welcome President Sisi’s consistent calls for peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Egypt. The UK supports continued dialogue between the Church and State, including on the topic of the Church Building Law. We urge the Egyptian authorities to implement the law in a way that enables Christians to exercise their freedom to worship. ​

Asim Omar

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received on the imprisonment of Asim Omar in Sudan.

Rory Stewart: Our ​Embassy in Khartoum has regular contact with the activists and political leaders involved in Asim Omar's case. We continue to raise the issue with the Government of Sudan as part of our bilateral dialogue, most recently in a meeting at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 5 December. We have made clear our strong opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances.Our Embassy in Khartoum works closely with the Government of Sudan, opposition groups, and political activists to support our human rights agenda.

Australia: Foreign Relations

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met his Australian counterpart; and what issues were discussed at that meeting.

Mark Field: My Rt Hon friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last met Australian Foreign Minister Bishop at the UN General Assembly in September. They regularly discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues, most recently the situations in Burma and North Korea, and the Commonwealth.

Malaysia: Foreign Relations

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met his counterpart in the Malaysian Government; and what issues were discussed at that meeting.

Mark Field: My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs most recently met Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman on 25 October. Their discussion covered bilateral relations, including trade and investment, Commonwealth links, and the visit to Malaysia by HRH The Prince of Wales. They also discussed terrorism in South East Asia, and the challenges of Burma and North Korea.

Department for International Development

Iraq: Poverty

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department has taken to improve economic opportunities and reduce poverty in Iraq.

Alistair Burt: Since 2014 DFID has provided £229.5 million in humanitarian assistance to help reduce poverty in Iraq, including by providing food assistance to over a quarter million people, emergency cash transfers to over 110,000 people and safe drinking water, toilet and shower facilities to more than 800,000 people. We have provided technical assistance through the World Bank to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to create a new welfare database and to pilot conditional cash transfers to improve access to health and education. We have also funded the UNDP managed Funding Facility for Stabilisation to support light infrastructure reconstruction and job and livelihoods creation in areas liberated from Daesh. Furthermore we provided a loan guarantee unlocking over $370 million of World Bank lending to the Government of Iraq, which has contributed to immediate economic stability while supporting reforms delivering more sustainable economic development.

Cultural Relations: Islam

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to improve the image of the UK in countries with predominantly Muslim populations.

Rory Stewart: The Department for International Development works in many countries with predominantly Muslim populations such as Syria, Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Wherever possible we highlight that this assistance is from the UK. When people see UK aid supplies arriving in their village or refugee camp – proudly marked with the Union flag – they know that Britain leads the way in tackling extreme poverty.

Middle East: Refugees

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department provides to Iraqi and Syrian refugees wishing to return home.

Alistair Burt: The UK promotes the safe, voluntary and dignified return home of refugees and IDPs. DFID is supporting the rehabilitation of priority infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and water treatment plants in areas liberated from Daesh in Iraq, and facilitating planning for regional returns in the major refugee hosting countries neighbouring Syria.

Palestinians: Terrorism

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent estimate she has made of the proportion of the Palestinian Authority's foreign aid receipts which was spent on payments to convicted terrorists in Israeli prisons in the last 12 months.

Alistair Burt: In August 2017, the International Monetary Fund estimated that external financial support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 2017 will total $666 million USD (approx. £500 million GBP). Many donors, including the UK and European Union, restrict their support to the PA for specific purposes and projects, and ensure that none of their aid is used for payments to convicted terrorists in Israeli prisons. No estimates have been made of the proportion of the PA’s external financial support which was spent on payments to convicted terrorists in Israeli prisons in the last 12 months. No UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners or their families. UK financial assistance to the PA is only used to help to pay the salaries of health and education public servants in the West Bank. Only named public servants from a pre-approved EU list are eligible and a robust verification system validates that funds are used for the intended purposes. The UK government strongly condemns all forms of violence including incitement to violence.

Department for International Development: Research

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117507, what criteria her Department uses to identify where the highest footprint of research takes place.

Rory Stewart: DFID allocate spend thematically rather than geographically, allowing us to prioritise research into the most pressing issues. DFID funds over 150 separate research programmes amounting to around £390m per Annum, focusing on new innovation and technologies to change lives. Most focus on multiple countries or regions.Information on these programmes and where they work is all published on DFID’s development tracker.

Department for International Development: Science

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117507 on Department for International Development: Science,  if she will publish the allocation of  science spending by region.

Rory Stewart: By thematically assigning funding for research (which is classified as science), rather than geographically, we ensure that Research and Innovation investments focus on the most pressing development challenges.DFID funds over 150 programmes, most of which target multiple countries or regions. All information on countries or regions the programmes target is published online, on DFID’s development tracker.

Department for Education

Construction: Training

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Autumn Budget 2017, what the criteria is for the allocation of the £34 million fund for teaching construction skills.

Anne Milton: The department will publish criteria for the fund early next year. The fund will help to build construction training facilities attached to housing developments, and will support adult students to retrain as construction workers. We will welcome bids from colleges and developers from across the country. The funding for construction skills was announced in the Budget, as part of the National Retraining Scheme. Most of the funding will be a construction skills fund for England, which will support government’s ambition to build new homes during the Parliament. There will also be £5 million for construction skills in the West Midlands, as part of the second devolution deal.

Limehurst Primary School: China

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what reports he has received on Limehurst Primary School's partnership with China and its recent award from the British Council; and whether Opportunity Area Funding for that partnership will be (a) maintained or (b) increased.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I congratulate Limehurst Primary School on its receipt of the British Council International School Award and on its successful partnership with the Youfu Primary School, in Nanjing. The government attaches great importance to international education links and partnerships for the language and cultural benefits they bring. The school’s partnership with Youfu Primary School pre-dates the Opportunity Area programme, but it clearly shares our determination to broaden the horizons of children in areas such as Royton. We hope that more schools in Opportunity Areas will take advantage of the International School Award and other school linking programmes that bring an international outlook and enrich children’s knowledge.

Trimega

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 118056,  what the timetable is for local authorities to report to her Department whether they commissioned forensic hair strand tests for drug and alcohol use from Trimega Laboratories Limited (Trimega) during the period January 2010 to April 2014.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Department officials have written to all local councils in England asking them to review whether they commissioned forensic hair strand tests for drug and alcohol use by Trimega Laboratories Limited (Trimega) during the period January 2010 to April 2014, and whether any action is necessary to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities. We continue to work with local councils to establish the extent to which they used Trimega during this period.

Social Services: Children

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of alcohol misuse on the costs of child social care in each of the last five years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The ‘Children in Need’ annual census collects data from local councils on children receiving social services within the year. The annual statistical first release from this collection displays the percentage of children in need by factor identified at the end of assessment, including alcohol misuse. This is shown in Figure K of the most recent release: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2016-to-2017.  It is not possible to quantify the impact on costs of children’s social care from this data.

Social Mobility

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving social mobility in disadvantaged areas.

Mr Robert Goodwill: On 14 December my Rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education published ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential: A plan for improving social mobility through education’. In October we published the first six delivery plans for our £72 million Opportunity Area (OA) programme. The plan and the OA programme have a shared aim to ensure no community is left behind by improving social mobility in disadvantaged areas. In developing these policies, the Secretary of State had a range of discussions with colleagues across government. Officials are also in regular contact with their counterparts in other departments to make progress on this issue.

Overseas Students

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the market share UK universities hold for students studying abroad from (a) Nigeria, (b) Malaysia and (c) Saudi Arabia.

Joseph Johnson: The government fully recognises the important contribution that international students make to the UK’s higher education sector, both economically and culturally. Global data on international student destinations is not available in the format requested. However, it is available at the tertiary education level from The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at the following link: http://uis.unesco.org/en/uis-student-flow. The link also includes further information on what types of education are included in the definition of tertiary education. This data shows that in terms of overall market share of overseas students studying tertiary level courses, the UK continues to attract the second highest numbers of overseas students (EU and non-EU) after the USA. For students from Nigeria and Malaysia the UK is the most popular destination and for students from Saudi Arabia it is the second most population destination.

Vocational Guidance: Disability

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has plans for the development of specialist careers advice for people with disabilities.

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment her Department has made of the quality of careers advice and work experience services provided to young people with disabilities.

Anne Milton: The government’s careers strategy, published on 4 December 2017, sets out a long term plan to build a world class careers system that will help young people and adults choose the career that is right for them.The National Careers Service is delivering positive outcomes for people from all backgrounds. People with a disability are included in the National Careers Service’s priority groups and, in the last year, the Service has seen over 90,000 people with a disability. People are generally satisfied with the help they receive. Recent survey data shows that 93% of adults felt the quality of the telephone and local area based service was good and 80% of users were satisfied or very satisfied with the website.In 2012, schools were given a legal duty to secure independent careers guidance for year 8-13 pupils. Statutory guidance underpins the duty and makes it clear that schools should offer work placements, work experience and other employer-based activities as part of their careers programme for all pupils, including those with disabilities. Ofsted will continue to hold schools to account for the quality of careers provision.The government is funding specialist training for careers advisers working with young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We are also funding training and materials for post-16 providers on curriculum design and delivery, including pathways to employment for these young people.The careers strategy includes proposals to improve the quality and coverage of careers advice in schools, including offering more aspirational careers advice for children, young people and adults with SEND who are often held back by a lack of support to make important decisions.

Schools: Staff

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of full time equivalent (a) pastoral care workers (b) counsellors (c) mentors and (d) educational psychologists working in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in England since 2010.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The full-time equivalent (FTE) number of contracted staff whose role is defined as that of ‘pastoral support’ or of ‘learning mentor’, employed by state funded primary and state funded secondary schools in England, November 2010 to 2016 is provided in the table attached.Information for ‘educational psychologists’ is not available by phase. These figures may undercount the actual number of educational psychologists because it is based on a varying percentage of local councils returns in each year (between 68 and 74 per cent). Data is not available for ‘counsellors’.   



The full-time number of contracted staff
(Word Document, 23.02 KB)

Migrant Workers: Fees and Charges

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will place an indicative list of projects that have received funding as a result of the Immigration Skills Charge in the Library.

Anne Milton: An assessment of the income generated by the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) after the first year of collecting the charge and the department’s 2017/18 end year accounts will provide information on ISC income and expenditure.A copy of this assessment will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

Academies: Finance

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the (a) average, (b) highest and (c) lowest amount of annual levy paid by a school to its multi academy trust (i) in total, (ii) for operating costs, (iii) for school improvement and (iv) for efficiency savings.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the maximum levy is a multi academy trust can require from a school to operate that multi academy trust.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department for Education published an academy trust survey research report in July 2017. The survey found that the average top slice in a multi academy trust was 4.6%. More detail on the range of top-slicing approaches can be found in the report at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629779/Academy_Trust_Survey_2017.pdf. The amount of any top slice is a matter for the academy trust and will usually depend on the range of central services offered.

Special Educational Needs

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the replacement of Statements of Special Educational Needs, with Education, Health and Care Plans.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support families who have experienced delays in receiving appropriate support through education, health and care plans.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The government has provided significant resources to support implementation of the Special educational needs and disability (SEND) reforms. This includes £223 million to local councils between April 2014 and March 2018 and, during the same period, £60 million for around 1,200 Independent Supporters to help families with the Education Health and Care (EHC) plan process. Councils are making encouraging progress, but there is still work to be done to fully embed this improved system. That is why the government announced on 30 November an additional package of support worth nearly £45 million to provide help for children and young people with SEND. This included a further £29 million to support councils and their local partners to continue pressing ahead with implementation of the reforms to the SEND system beyond the end of the transition period. We are beginning to see some positive feedback on EHC plans from parents and young people. A large-scale survey, published in March 2017, of over 13,000 families who gained an EHC plan in 2015 found that two thirds were satisfied with the overall experience of getting a plan, and three-fifths agreed the help and support set out in the plan will achieve the desired outcomes. Where there are delays with any aspect of the EHC process, including issuing an EHC plan and delivering the provision set out in it, the local council should work with the family, explain the reason for the delay and address the situation swiftly. We know that sometimes issues cannot be immediately resolved and we have made available to families, in every local council, mediation services, as well as support from Independent Supporters and Information Advice and Support Services. Where issues regarding the EHC plan cannot be resolved, families can also appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

Primary Education: Nurseries

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it is her policy to create a capital fund to support the opening of nurseries in primary schools that do not have the facilities to provide one.

Mr Robert Goodwill: As stated in the Social Mobility Action Plan, we will invest £50 million to create more high quality school-based nursery provision for disadvantaged children: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/667690/Social_Mobility_Action_Plan_-_for_printing.pdf. We expect that this investment will contribute to creating and increasing nursery provision in both new and existing schools, including those schools that already provide nursery places and those that do not.

Primary Education: Nurseries

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what how many and what proportion of primary schools that have opened since June 2017 (a) did and (b) did not have an on-site nursery.

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of new primary schools that received permission to be built since June 2017 (a) included and (b) did not include plans to build a nursery.

Mr Robert Goodwill: 11 of the 21 (52 per cent) mainstream primary and all-through schools that have opened since June 2017 have nursery provision. 10 of the 21 (48 per cent) schools opened without nursery provision. The government has not approved any new school proposals since June 2017. The most recent new school approvals were made in April 2017 when 29 of the 45 (64 per cent) mainstream primary and all-through schools approved included proposals for nursery provision. We will next invite proposals for new schools in early 2018.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Seahorses: Sales

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that online marketplaces abide by all UK and EU laws on the sale of seahorses.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Seahorses are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Trade of seahorses into, and from, the EU is regulated by CITES permits, however they can be freely traded within the EU without a CITES permit provided that they have been legally acquired. It is for the police, including the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which is partly funded by Defra, to investigate any cases involving the illegal trading of seahorses, including intelligence concerning potential illegal trading on online marketplaces. The NWCU has investigated a number of such cases.

Mersey Gateway Bridge: Tractors

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that tractors pulling trailers in a work capacity are not charged (a) tolls and (b) Penalty Charge Notices on the Mersey Gateway Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations he has received on the liability of tractors to pay tolls on the Mersey Gateway Bridge.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what meetings (a) ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had with (i) HM Treasury and  (ii) the Department of Transport related to the liability of tractors to pay tolls on the Mersey Gateway Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: No such meetings have been held. The administration, operation and collection of tolls and penalty charge notices on the Mersey Gateway Bridge, including for tractors, are a matter for Halton Borough Council and Merseylink consortium to decide.

Greyhounds: Animal Welfare

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on a non-regulatory agreement with independent greyhound racing tracks to allow anonymised, aggregate injury and euthanasia statistics from those tracks to be published.

George Eustice: Prior to seeking any agreements with independent greyhound racing tracks, Defra has undertaken research and is currently assisting with further research sponsored by the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA into the profile and practices of independent greyhound tracks and the trainers that use them. There are currently three independent tracks operating in England.

Sugar Beet: Quotas

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,  what effect he expects the end of EU quotas on sugar beet production to have on domestic sugar prices.

George Eustice: We expect the price of sugar within the European Union (EU) to follow trends in world prices more closely following the removal of quotas on beet sugar production. While the United Kingdom remains within the EU domestic prices will be similarly affected. The latest EU sugar prices show a recent drop reflecting the fall in international prices and expectations of higher EU exports.

Meat: UK Trade with EU

Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations his Department has received on the importance of maintaining veterinary equivalence between the UK and the EU on the import and export of meat and poultry protects after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: My Department has received a range of representations on the future sanitary rules for trade with the EU in meat and poultry products. Some of these representations have recognised the benefits of the UK having some form of veterinary equivalence with the EU. The Government is working to achieve the freest possible trade between the UK and the EU as part of our future relationship, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders as part of this.

Fisheries: Lancashire

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to replenish fish stocks in Lancashire.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: During the last two months the Environment Agency has stocked a number of Lancashire rivers with 19,000 coarse fish from the Environment Agency’s fish farm at Calverton, as follows: River Lostock: 1,000 Chub and 1,000 Dace River Ribble: 2,000 Chub and 1,500 Bream River Wyre: 2,000 Chub, 2,500 Dace, 1,500 Roach and 1,000 Bream River Lune: 2,500 Dace, 3,000 Roach and 1,000 Bream

Rivers: Lancashire

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress he has made on improving the cleanliness of Lancashire’s rivers.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for the health of England’s rivers, including the monitoring of the river network for the quality of the water chemistry and ecology. 54% of Lancashire’s rivers are now of good status or higher with 143km of rivers enhanced since January 2016. The EA is investing a total of £801,000 this year in projects across Lancashire which directly or indirectly relate to water quality improvement in rivers and estuaries. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) for the period 2015–2020 includes a number of requirements for the water company to improve sewage discharges so that the water quality in Lancashire’s rivers is improved. The EA is working with Natural England to support farmers in protecting and improving watercourses through the Catchment Sensitive Farming scheme. The EA is also contributing to river enhancements through catchment partnerships, such as the Ribble Rivers Trust. Recently improved water quality has meant salmon and sea trout are now reaching the upper reaches of the River Calder in east Lancashire, where they were previously absent due to poor water quality and in-river barriers. Improved river water quality is also a significant factor in the improvement of the coastal bathing waters, with all ten designated beaches in Lancashire now of good or excellent status.

Water: Discharges

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many standalone water discharge permits have been issued in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) England in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency has issued the following number of water discharge activity permits (formerly known as discharge consents) in the last five years in: Fylde constituency YearWater discharge activity permits201312014020150201642017 (year to date)2  England (This includes both water discharge and groundwater permits as the number of permits issued are not separately recorded for England as a whole) YearWater discharge activity and groundwater activity permits20137242014703201562420168322017 (year to date)755

Ground Water

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many groundwater activity permits have been issued in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) England in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency has issued the following number of groundwater activity permits in each of the last five years in: Fylde constituency YearGroundwater activity permits201302014020150201602017 (year to date)2 England (This includes water discharge activity permits and groundwater activity permits, the numbers of which are not separately recorded for England) YearWater discharge activity and groundwater activity permits20137242014703201562420168322017 (year to date)755

Agriculture: Wales

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of Welsh farmers receive direct payments and rural development support.

George Eustice: The Welsh Government administers payments and provides rural development support to Welsh farmers. Therefore this is a matter for the devolved administration.

Forests: EU Countries

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the European Academies Science Advisory Council study Multi-functionality and sustainability in the European Union's forests.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra officials have reviewed the study and are considering the conclusions in developing international forestry policy. As the study was published by a non–UK, independent body, there are no plans to undertake a formal assessment.

Industry: Natural Resources

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the reference in the Government's Industrial Strategy to protecting and enhancing all aspects of natural capital applies to such capital in other countries that might be affected by decisions made by the UK.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leeds North West, Alex Sobel, on 11 December 2017, PQ UIN 117908.

Livestock Industry

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of intensive livestock units in the UK.

George Eustice: Whilst Defra collects information on the number of livestock units in England, no information is collected on whether these units are intensive.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: EU Nationals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many non-UK EU nationals started employment in his Department since 23 June 2016.

George Eustice: Since 23 June 2016, where nationality is recorded, 43 non-UK EU nationals on the payroll have started with Defra up to 30 November 2017.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Colin Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to maintain subsidies to UK farmers after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: This Government has pledged the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament, expected in 2022. This is a greater level of security and certainty for farmers and landowners than anywhere else in the EU, where funding is guaranteed only to 2020. This total includes all EU and Exchequer funding provided for farm support under both Pillar I and Pillar II. Leaving the EU gives us an opportunity to set new policies which specifically benefit agriculture and the environment. The government is committed to providing the best possible value for money to the taxpayer and we are exploring various options to achieve these aims.

Department for Exiting the European Union

European Union: Assets

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment his Department has made of which EU assets the UK will be able to benefit from the use of or have recourse to during the period when the UK is contributing to the EU budget but is no longer an EU member state; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robin Walker: The Government has agreed a number of important principles with the EU that will apply to how we arrive at valuations in due course. This includes taking into account all relevant assets.All assets and liabilities have been analysed in detail and accounted for in the overall settlement. The scope of the settlement is laid out in the Joint Report on progress during phase 1 of the negotiations.

Agriculture: Trade Agreements

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on agricultural trade with the EU of the UK not having a trade agreement with the EU when the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: As part of our work preparing to make a success of our departure from the European Union, we are carrying out a broad range of sectoral analysis, as you would expect a responsible Government to do. Our sector report on Agriculture covers: a detailed description of the sector; the current EU regulatory regime and a summary of sector views. The report has been made available for members of both Houses to read in a secure reading room.The Government’s Agriculture Bill will enable us to support a thriving and self-reliant farming sector that is more competitive, productive and profitable; to protect our precious natural environment for future generations; and to deliver on the manifesto commitment to provide stability for farmers as we exit the EU.We are committed to getting the best possible deal for the United Kingdom - a deal that works for all sectors of the UK economy. We believe that a future partnership deal is in the interests of both sides, so we approach these negotiations anticipating success. We do not want or expect an outcome where no trade agreement is agreed.

EU Environmental Policy

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether environmental treaties agreed by the EU in lieu of its member states, such as the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury, will remain binding on the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: The UK has signed the Minamata Convention in its own right, and intends to ratify the Convention in 2018, once our domestic implementing legislation is in force. As such, the UK will then continue to be a party to this Convention following exit.The UK has a proud history of environmental protection which predates our accession to the EU (e.g. the 1956 Clean Air Act) and much EU environmental legislation is in line with UK environmental aims.  The Department for Exiting the European Union, in conjunction with other Departments, is working to identify the full range of international agreements that will be impacted by our exit from the EU. We recognise that in certain circumstances we will need to take action to maintain our commitment to environmental agreements.We will work with our international partners to seek to maintain the relationships and cooperation we currently enjoy as we exit the EU.

EU Defence Policy

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what representations he has made to the European Commission on UK participation in the European Defence Industrial Development programme.

Mr Robin Walker: As outlined in the Government future partnership paper on foreign policy, defence and development, we are open to considering options and models for participation in the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) after we have left the EU. Any decisions on the terms of UK participation in the EDIDP will form part of our wider negotiations.We have argued strongly during the current negotiations of the EDIDP draft regulation that it should be open to third country industrial participation, and that it complements other cooperative programmes, including those developed through NATO. The General Affairs Council endorsed its general approach to the draft regulation on 12 December 2017.

Service Industries: Trade Agreements

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the likelihood of reaching an agreement with the EU on free trade in services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robin Walker: On 15 December the European Council confirmed that sufficient progress had been made to move onto the second phase of negotiations relating to our future partnership with the EU.We will pursue the freest possible trade in services between the UK and the EU. And we are confident that such an agreement is in the interests of both sides.

Brexit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what estimate he has made of the date on which he will announce detailed arrangements for the implementation phase after the UK's exit from the EU?

Mr Robin Walker: The Government recognises that early agreement on an implementation period is important to provide certainty to businesses and individuals on both sides of the channel. The timing and detail of the implementation period will of course be a matter for negotiations. The Government welcomes President Tusk’s call for discussions on the implementation period to start immediately and his comments that it should be agreed as soon as possible. This very much aligns with the Government’s position.We will continue to keep Parliament informed through regular statements and committee appearances, and will continue to timetable debates in Government time.

Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

Members' Staff

Simon Hart: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether the Committee has had sight of the legal advice received by IPSA on connected parties; and if he will place a copy of that advice in the Library.

Mr Charles Walker: The Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Wales Office

Foreign Investment in UK: Wales

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the value of inward investment from the Republic of Ireland to Wales in each year for which data is available.

Alun Cairns: It is not possible to estimate the value of inward investment from the Republic of Ireland to Wales. Both the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) produce inward investment statistics. DIT’s published data doesn’t connect origin and destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects. ONS data meanwhile operates at aggregated national level. The information below shows the value of inward investment from the Republic of Ireland to the UK for each year from 2007 to 2016. Year2007200820092010201120122013201420152016Value (£ million)7,1928,6139,2487,56510,6199,00811,91113,82512,30911,485 Source: Office for National Statistics Given the fact that Ireland is Wales’ fourth largest export market and the strong ties between the ports of Fishguard and Rosslare in the south and Holyhead and Dublin in the north, I recognise the key economic links that exist between the two nations.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, with reference to the Answer of 27 April 2017 to Question 71787 on EU Grants and Loans: Wales, which  European programmes, that are partly but not wholly EU programmes, does the UK plan to continue to participate in after the UK has left the EU.

Alun Cairns: For EU programmes funded from the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Joint Report agreed by the UK and the European Commission makes clear that UK participants’ eligibility to apply to participate in EU programmes and receive funding from EU programmes will be unaffected by our withdrawal from the EU. The UK will continue to be an active participant across all programmes. This guarantees that the UK will continue to get its receipts for EU programmes until the end of the current budget plan and for the lifetime of the project, providing certainty to projects and UK entities. Programmes for the next MFF have not yet been designed. We will take decisions on participation in future programmes in due course, as the proposals are developed. As the Prime Minister said in Florence, the UK is keen to continue to participate in programmes which benefit both the UK and the EU. HMG’s series of position and discussion papers on the future relationship has already elaborated on this further.

Wales Office: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Alun Cairns: Strengthening families is a cross-government objective and the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales works with other government departments across Whitehall on policies affecting families in Wales.

Wales Office: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many data incidents his Department (a) recorded and (b) reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.

Guto Bebb: The Department recorded one data incident in 2015-16 and one in 2016-17. These incidents are disclosed in the Department’s 2015-16 and 2016-17 Annual Reports and Accounts. There have been no incidents reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Wales Office: Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many times his Department's Senior Information Risk Officer role has been vacant for a week or longer since 2012.

Guto Bebb: None.

Ministry of Justice

Accident and Emergency Departments: North East Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the extra pressure on A&E services in north east Wales caused by treating prisoners from HMP Berwyn.

Dr Phillip Lee: This information is not recorded centrally by HMPPS. Health is devolved in Wales. The HMP Berwyn project team, Welsh Government and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have worked closely together to assess the potential impact of HMP Berwyn on local health services, including emergency services. A full health needs assessment was carried out in the early stages of the development of the prison and models of care were developed from this. A full range of health and wellbeing services are available to the men at HMP Berwyn including primary care services, mental health and learning disability services, and services for men with a need for substance misuse treatment with the aim of reducing the local health impact as far as possible. These services are housed in a purpose built facility and are staffed by a variety of health and wellbeing professionals. Men who present with issues which may require attendance at hospital are assessed by health professionals before any decision is made to take them to hospital. There are a wide range of interventions which can be provided by the health and wellbeing team in situ to prevent the need for men to attend at local emergency departments.

Berwyn Prison

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average time prisoners in HMP Berwyn have spent (a) waiting for and (b) receiving treatment in A&E departments since 1 March 2017.

Dr Phillip Lee: This information is not held centrally. The responsibility for NHS Wales was passed to the Welsh Government under devolution in 1999. The Department of Health and Social Services are responsible for waiting times/ treatment times of those attending A&E departments. The men going to A&E from HMP Berwyn have no preferential treatment and are assessed on medical need just like any other member of the public.

Young Offenders: Ethnic Groups

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of young offenders in youth custody identified as BAME in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Phillip Lee: Table 1 shows the numbers (broken down by month and yearly average) and proportions of BAME (Asian, Black , Mixed and others) young people within the youth secure estate. At this point, I will not be making a statement in the house on this issue. We are responding fully to the findings of David Lammy's review into the treatment of BAME individuals in the criminal justice system. YearAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAve%2012/13656629628607592590605570530522511493578372013/14507502486507487494493493457466464466485402014/15431419437442418414408398374375382413409392015/16414410417419395394398406379382372388398412016/1740539141139937338539336634938138037138444*2016/17 figures are provisional

Prisoners: Females

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many females were in jail in England and Wales (a) on remand and (b) under sentence for the latest date for which information is available

Dr Phillip Lee: On 30 September 2017, the number of females in jail in England and Wales on remand and under sentence was 575 and 3,350, respectively.

Prison Sentences: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women who were living in Wales at the point of sentence served time in custody during (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.

Dr Phillip Lee: The total number of women who served time in custody during 2015 and 2016 that were living in Wales at the point of sentence is not available. However, the table below shows the number of sentenced women with an origin address in Wales in custody during each quarter of 2015 and 2016. This is based on snapshot data and does not provide an accurate indication of all women in custody who were living in Wales at the point of sentence as it does not include those who were in custody between, but not on, the extract dates. Count of all sentenced women with an origin address in Wales at the point of the data snapshot by quarter for 2015 and 2016Quarter20152016 March194200 June218220 September220231 December211231  All data are based on the prison population on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 December for 2015 and 2016. This tool has been designed for high level analytical purposes only. The detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate and not necessarily accurate to the last whole number shown in the tables. They are fit to be used for comparing the relative magnitude of components. Around 97% of prisoners have origin locations. Those with no origin are typically foreign nationals or recently received into custody and have been excluded from this table. The number of female offenders sentenced to custody at all courts in Wales, in 2016, by month, can be viewed in PQ 116829/116832.

Offenders: Females

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support services are available for women in Wales who have completed a jail sentence.

Dr Phillip Lee: There are a range of women centred support services currently available across Wales for women being released from custody which are incorporated into sentencing planning by an individual’s Offender Manager in conjunction with Through the Gate services. The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Cymru Women's Pathfinder looks to bring together these agencies to work in a joined up way to support women at each stage of the Criminal Justice System, including those coming out of prison and resettling back in Wales.

Alternatives to Prison: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what diversion from custody schemes are available for women who have been convicted of an offence in Wales.

Dr Phillip Lee: While Diversion Schemes have been established in Wales through the Women’s Pathfinder, which diverts low risk women (where appropriate) away from the criminal justice system (CJS) into community support or interventions at point of arrest and voluntary attendees, there is currently no specific Diversion from Custody Scheme available for those convicted. However, the needs of women are always taken into account when National Probation Service officers undertake pre-sentence assessments for courts and a suitable community-based proposal will be recommended for those whose level of risk is assessed as manageable in the community. In line with the development of women’s services in Wales, the development of a diversion from custody scheme will be reviewed alongside the wider Women’s Pathfinder programme of work and the release of the MOJ Strategy for women.

Crime: Victims

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to start the consultation on introducing a victims' code and a victims' law.

Dr Phillip Lee: The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims' Code) is issued by the Secretary of State for Justice under section 32 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. The Code sets out the services that must be provided to victims of crime in England and Wales, as well as the corresponding obligations on criminal justice agencies to provide these services. We have committed to publish a victims strategy in early 2018, which will consider legislative and non-legislative options to give effect to the strategy. We have had representations from victims’ groups on many issues and we are engaging widely with victims, victims’ groups and other stakeholders as we develop the strategy. We will bring forward any legislation for victims when Parliamentary time allows.

Crime: Victims

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations he has received about non-compliance with the victims' code in the last two years.

Dr Phillip Lee: We have committed to publish a victims strategy in early 2018. The strategy will consider how compliance with the entitlements in the Victims’ Code might be improved and better monitored, and how those responsible for delivery of entitlements might be better held to account. We have had representations from victims’ groups on many issues and we are engaging widely with victims, victims’ groups and other stakeholders as we develop the strategy.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has any plans to involve Police and Crime Commissioners in the management of community rehabilitation companies in England and Wales.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We are committed to improving the delivery of probation services at a local level, and are working with a range of stakeholders, including Police and Crime Commissioners, to do this. We have agreed justice devolution deals with combined authorities in Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City region and the West Midlands. We have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with Greater Manchester Combined Authority to support collaborative working, and are in discussion with other regions, including London, about further opportunities for increasing local involvement with probation services.

Legal Aid Scheme

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of changes to the availability of the early legal help component of legal aid on the expenditure of other Government departments.

Dominic Raab: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Reoffenders

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people lost custody of their children after being recalled to prison in each quarter for the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Community Orders

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what research the Government has conducted on the reasons why the number of community sentences has declined in the last five years; and if he will place that research in the Library.

Dominic Raab: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of the £277,000,000 additional funding provide to Community Rehabilitation Centres has been allocated to services specifically for women.

Dr Phillip Lee: As per my answer to Questions 115915 and 115916, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) are contractually required to provide services for female offenders that they are managing in the community, and to deliver resettlement services to offenders both before and following release from prison. As part of our reforms to probation, we have given providers the flexibility to innovate, and to tailor rehabilitative support to the particular needs of offenders locally. We have not, therefore, prescribed how much of the additional funding for CRCs must be spent on services for female offenders. We have a robust contract management and assurance process in place for CRCs, and continue to assess their performance through a range of service levels, including their delivery of Through the Gate and how they are addressing the specific needs of female offenders.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average caseload has been for each Community Rehabilitation Company in each of the last 12 months.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Caseloads for Community Rehabilitation Companies are published on gov.uk as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly.

Segregation of Prisoners

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average length of time was for prisoners held in a segregation unit awaiting a transfer for each prison.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Prisons: Transport

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions prisons have made transport arrangements for prisoner transfer that did not use the contracted transport provider in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost

Prisons: Drugs

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what quantity of each class of drugs has been detected by prison scanners in each prison in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested is not centrally recorded.

Ministry of Justice: Families

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Government is committed to supporting prisoners to establish or maintain relationships with their families and significant others where appropriate. The Government recently published the report from Lord Farmer, ‘The Importance of Strengthening Prisoners Family Ties to Prevent Reoffending and Reduce Intergenerational Crime’.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/642244/farmer-review-report.pdfWork has already commenced on taking forward some of the important recommendations from this review.We are placing the importance of these relationships at the centre of our processes. In October family budgets were devolved to Governors, which coincided with the commencement of new family services contracts. This has given Governors the necessary levers to deliver tailored support for prisoners, helping them to build or maintain family ties or develop alternative relationships.Relationships between prisoners, their family or significant others and children are maintained through a range of visiting opportunities. In addition to the statutory entitlement to visits under the Prison Rules 1999, prisoners may also be granted additional visits through local privilege schemes.Release on temporary licence (ROTL) is another way for suitable prisoners to maintain family ties, and we will be exploring in the coming months how best to ensure access to ROTL for those who would benefit, within a robust risk assessment framework.A new Family Policy Framework will be published during 2018 to help standardise the quality of services provided across all prisons to help strengthen relationships between prisoners, their family and significant relationships.

Prisons

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions the Chief Inspector of Prisons has used the urgent notification protocol to alert him to a significant concern regarding a prison since 30 November 2017.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The new Urgent Notification process allows Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons to directly alert the Secretary of State if he has an urgent and significant concern about the performance of a prison. The Secretary of State will then publish his response and a plan of action within 28 days. Both the Chief Inspector’s letter and the Secretary of State’s response will be published.Since its introduction on 30 November 2017, the Chief Inspector of Prisons has not triggered the Urgent Notification process.

Prisons: Locks and Keys

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117497, what the cost was of relocking prisons by the private contractor in 2016-17.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Ministry of Justice is not responsible for meeting such costs in privately managed prisons. As per my Answer to Question 117497, the costs of any re-locking in privately managed prisons in 2016/17 were met by the providers.

Prison Officers

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many days of detached duty have been worked by prison officers in the last 12 months.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The deployment of staff between prisons on detached duty is a regular and normal part of prison resourcing. It allows staff to be allocated from prisons with the capacity to provide them, to those where additional staffing is required. Since October 2013, national detached duty has been coordinated centrally. Detached duty has taken place every day since this date.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much has been paid in compensation to prison staff as a result of injuries suffered in a violent attack on the prison estate in each year since 2010.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Probate

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average time was between receipt of an application for grant of probate and the the grant being made in each of the last five years.

Dominic Raab: The information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Employment Tribunals Service

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many employment tribunal awards required enforcement to ensure that payments to successful claimants were made in the last 12 months.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many employment tribunal awards relating to pregnancy or sex discrimination required enforcement to ensure that payments to successful claimants were made in the last 12 months.

Dominic Raab: HMCTS does not centrally record the data on the number of Employment Tribunal awards relating to any one jurisdiction, that require enforcement to ensure payment to a successful claimant.

Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board 's annual report on HM Young Offenders’ Institution at Cookham Wood, published in December 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Phillip Lee: We take these findings extremely seriously. We are committed to improving youth custody so that it rehabilitates young offenders. We are investing £64 million as part of our work to reform youth custody. This includes expanding frontline staff capacity in public-sector Young Offender Institutions by 20% and introducing a new youth justice specialist role. We are working with the NHS England to strengthen the provision of mental health care and building specialised units with a higher staff ratio for young people with the most complex needs. The first of these is now operational at Feltham YOI. We are also developing two new Secure Schools, which will be places where children and staff feel safe, and able to engage fully with integrated care, health and education services, and with physical activity. Cookham Wood has already taken decisive action to address staffing issues, with a targeted recruitment campaign successfully boosting numbers on the frontline.

Jordan Davidson

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what licence conditions were imposed on Jordan Davidson on his release from HMP Parc on 9 December 2016.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Mr Jordon James Lee Davidson, was released on a standard Licence from HMP Parc on the 9th December 2016 under the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the objectives of which are to protect the public, prevent re-offending and help resettlement into the community.In addition Mr Davidson was subject to additional requirements in relation to complying with requirements imposed by his supervising officer in relation to substance misuse and exclusion from a particular street in Wrexham.

Cabinet Office

Government Digital Service: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many members of staff will be employed in the GovTech catalyst in Government Digital Service.

Caroline Nokes: A small dedicated GovTech Catalyst team based in the Government Digital Service will operate at the heart of government, from the Government Digital Service, and alongside Innovate UK oversee a new £20 million fund to help tech firms deliver innovative fixes to public sector challenges. The team will be benefit from expertise of officials across government and will work to boost productivity in the public sector by helping public bodies identify challenges they face that could be solved by new digital technologies. The new Catalyst team will act as a ‘front door’ to tech firms, giving them a clear access point where they can put forward their innovative ideas. Work is ongoing to define the roles of the Catalyst team.

Government Digital Service: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people will be employed by the GovTech Catalyst; from what professions those employees will come; and what pay scales they will be on.

Caroline Nokes: A small dedicated GovTech Catalyst team based in the Government Digital Service will operate at the heart of government, from the Government Digital Service, and alongside Innovate UK oversee a new £20 million fund to help tech firms deliver innovative fixes to public sector challenges. The team will be benefit from expertise of officials across government and will work to boost productivity in the public sector by helping public bodies identify challenges they face that could be solved by new digital technologies. The new Catalyst team will act as a ‘front door’ to tech firms, giving them a clear access point where they can put forward their innovative ideas. Work is ongoing to define the roles of the Catalyst team.

Voting Rights: EU Nationals

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what Government policy is on EU citizens voting in local elections in the UK.

Chris Skidmore: EU citizens can vote in local elections in the UK.The Government was clear from the start of withdrawal negotiations that EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU should have their voting and candidacy rights protected.

Electoral Register

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2017 to Question 116339 , if he will publish the exploratory work his Department has undertaken on the creation of an online service to enable people to check if they are registered to vote.

Chris Skidmore: The Government does not intend to publish its high-level assessment of an online registration status checking survey. The results of the assessment were that such service is both impracticable given significant technical and security considerations and very expensive. Indeed, as set out previously, the cost of such a service would far exceed the cost of processing duplicate applications.Our work on registration is focused on meeting the requirements of citizens. The need for citizens to be able to check their registration status has not been clearly identified. There is, however, a clear need for citizens to be confident they can apply to register to vote quickly and easily. This is met by the existing online service, which has now seen more than 30m applications. Citizens with questions about their registration status can contact their local elections office directly. Our online service provides citizens with the relevant contact information We recognise that making applying to register quicker and easier than ever before can generate unnecessary duplicate applications, especially around elections. We therefore intend to continue to work with partners across the electoral community to find ways of reducing unnecessary duplicate applications and making the processing of such applications as easy as possible.

Returning Officers: Police and Crime Commissioners

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many election payments for services and expenses of returning officers in connection with the 2016 Elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (a) have been settled and (b) remain outstanding; and if he will publish the costs of those payments.

Chris Skidmore: The Elections Claims Unit at the Cabinet Office has settled 162 Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) claims to date. There are 231 claims outstanding of which 35 are going through final settlement checks and 100 are on hold pending a response from Local Returning Officers. A report on the cost of the 2016 PCC election will be published once all claims have been settled.

Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which recommendations made by devolved administrations at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU negotiations) will form part of the Government's policy on the UK leaving the EU.

Damian Green: The UK Government is committed to engagement with the devolved administrations throughout the EU Exit process. The main forum for this is the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations). This met in October and December and will meet again in the new year with work remitted to officials to take forward between meetings.

Joint Ministerial Committee On EU Negotiations

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU negotiations) next plans to meet.

Damian Green: The Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) met on 12 December 2017 and agreed to meet again early in the new year.

Brexit

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, by what process any inter-administration differences on negotiations for the UK leaving the EU were resolved in the seven months between February and October 2017.

Damian Green: The Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) is the formal mechanism for inter-administration discussion on negotiations for the UK leaving the EU. In the period between February and October 2017 when JMC(EN) did not meet, the First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU held a series of bilateral meetings with the devolved administrations on a range of issues related to EU Exit.

General Elections: Costs

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish detailed reports and the supporting datasets on the cost to the public purse of the (a) 2015 General Election and (b) 2017 General Election.

Chris Skidmore: The report on the cost of the 2015 UK Parliamentary general election is in the process of being finalised and will be published shortly. A report on the cost of the 2017 UK Parliamentary general election will be published once all the expense claims have been received and settled.